Ballard finds right balance

DAN Ballard has shown himself to be a colossus this season for Sunderland. Boss Regis Le Bris has gone so far as to say the club and fans are seeing "the real Dan Ballard" after his stellar performances.

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer

When the Frenchman took over Sunderland 18 months ago, Ballard was unavailable because of injury and a succession of niggling issues in the first half of last season meant the Northern Irishman started only nine of the first 30 games of the Championship campaign.

He was sidelined again towards the end of the season, and while he returned to play a pivotal role in the playoffs, scoring the extra-time goal against Coventry City that took Sunderland to Wembley, Le Bris never quite felt he was at his physical peak.

A groin injury in the early stages of August's defeat at Burnley ruled him out again at the start of this season.

Thankfully for him, Omar Alderete and Reinildo Mandava have had spells out, giving him his chance.