Defensive duo inspiration for peers - Marco

SUNDERLAND legend Marco Gabbiadini has showered praise on Black Cats defensive duo Dan Ballard and Trai Hume.

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer

SUNDERLAND legend Marco Gabbiadini has showered praise on Black Cats defensive duo Dan Ballard and Trai Hume.

They are “a great example” of how to develop into Premier League players according to Gabbiadini, who was greatly impressed with the duo’s performances for Northern Ireland in their two recent World Cup matches.

Both players featured prominently for their country during the international break, and were unfortunate to be on the losing side against Germany last week.

The pair then played the full 90 minutes on Saturday, helping Sunderland keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory against Wolves.

Ballard had the ball in the back of the net against Germany only for his strike to be ruled out prior to Nick Woltemade's winner in a narrow 1-0 defeat, and the towering centre-back earned plenty of plaudits.

The 26-year-old was lauded in both the national press and by his head coach, Michael O'Neill.