Sunderland travel to Hull City in the Championship. Last time out Sunderland lost to West Brom and Hull drew at Watford. Tony Mowbray did not risk playing Ross Stewart against West Brom but he is expected to feature in the matchday squad against Hull. Dan Ballard played 60 minutes in the U21 game on Monday as he makes his return from a fractured ankle but this game could be too early for him. Hull City sit in 21st place with 25 points. The Tigers will have to do that without key man Dimitrios Pelkas following the news that the 29 year old has been ruled out of action for up to three months. Pelkas joins fellow attackers Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and Benjamin Tetteh on the sidelines. Greg Docherty, who replaced Pelkas at Vicarage Road, also suffered a dead leg during Sunday’s game. Hull have been boosted by the return of star striker Oscar Estupinan, who has been serving a three-match ban. Tony Mowbray: "I watched them [Hull City] on the TV against Watford and I have to say, they were very good," "Every game is tough. That’s the next opportunity to try for us to go away and try to get a positive result. We’ve done pretty well away from home recently. "We will have to show resilience but be really positive and go there and see if we can take three points. "They’re all tough games and Hull City is the next one." “Ross (Stewart) has fully trained and we’re hoping he can travel with us for the game,” Mowbray said. “It’s definitely looking positive. I’m aware I said it last week and you’re of course wary of giving a certain ‘yes’, but he felt the stiffness after playing and scoring in the bounce game against Middlesbrough beforehand. “He’s raring to go and wants to be involved as quickly as possible. All being well he’ll travel with us, and then we can take a look at potentially getting him involved.” Liam Rosenior: "I'm really pleased. Watford are a very very good team, have been on a good run and have outstanding attacking players at this level. "We blocked shots, defended set-plays really well and created chances of our own. "I'm delighted with the attitude, discipline and energy of the players and was delighted with the reaction after the game because they were disappointed not to win. That's the kind of attitude I want at this club." Match Appointments: Referee: GAVIN WARD Assistant Referees: Sam Lewis & Bhupinder Gill Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone Team Lineups: Sunderland AFC: (4-3-3) Patterson, Cirkin, Batth, O’Nien, Gooch, Neil, Evans, Pritchard, Clarke, Amad, Stewart Subs: Bass, Huggins, Alese, Embleton, Bennette, Roberts, Simms Injured: Ballard, Michut Hull City: (4-2-3-1) Ingram, Christie, Jones, McLoughlin, Greaves, Woods, Seri, Slater, Tufan, Estupiñán, Smith Subs: Coyle, Elder, Figueiredo, Docherty, Sinik, Baxter, Longman Injured: Pelkas, Tetteh, Allahyar, Traore, Oulad M'Hand, Sayyadmanesh Betting Odds: Sunderland 19/10 Hull 29/20 Draw 9/4 Prutton Predicts: 2-1 My two pence: Another second half shocker at home to West Brom but I’m expecting us to bounce back quickly, especially if Stewart is back in action. Hull have suffered with injuries this season and are missing a lot of their strikers. I’m going for a 1-0 away win Live Stream: Available on the Sky red button https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/live-video Due to EFL broadcast restrictions, SAFSee streaming will only be available to overseas-based supporters. Audio commentary will be available to all supporters. Ha’way the Lads
I really want/hope Ballard starts but after Oniens performance last game I really dont know who I'd drop, but either way he needs to start. I also hope we can shake things up in other areas aswell by starting with Cirkin and Stewart for at least 60 mins.
I’d be surprised to see Stewart or Ballard on the bench, never mind starting! Mowbray seems really cautious with players coming back from injury. Hull have the worst defensive record in the league and sit just above the relegation zone. I’ll be disappointed if we aren’t going down there all out for 3 points…
Ballard has played 60 mins last week and declared that he's raring to go. I'll be very pished off if Mowbray decides to be cautious again with him..... I might be being optimistic with Stewart but again I'll be pished off if he is not involved in some way after also playing 60 mins last week and training with the first team all week.
I think the form of O’Nien and Batth makes it a lot easier to ease Ballard back in, but he gets in the side when 100% fully fit, no doubt about it. I’d settle for Stewart being on the bench. We just need him back now, it’s been too long.
I think we've been unlucky enough for Ballard to miss nearly all of the season barring a couple of games. I dont see any reason why he should have to miss out on anymore games now that Injuries are not preventing him. He was one of the best CB's in this league last year. We dont want to waste anymore opportunities than we already have to get him on the pitch. He said in an interview this week he feels stronger than ever, and ready to fight to get his place back. His physical presence alone will be a huge boost for our back line. Who would I drop for him?.... I have no idea, that's where Mowbray needs to use his management skills.
I’d have O’Nien moving to RB with Ballard central alongside Batth. Cirkin LB. We’ve got loads of solid options at the back. Gooch and Alese would feel very hard done by not to be in my back line
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Road to recovery: Dan Ballard reacts to U21s outing Upon completing 60 minutes of competitive football for Sunderland’s Under-21s, Dan Ballard is now eyeing up a return to the first-team. Ballard started in a centre of defence for the young Lads 2-1 win over Reading down in Berkshire and came through the game unscathed. The positive news comes following over four months out of action after suffering a foot fracture in August. “I felt really good. Their striker was a good player and gave me a good test which was what I needed” said the 22-year-old. “All the lads played really well and I was impressed with the quality of the Under-21’s. I tried to do everything maximally and push myself to the limit. It was a good workout and a good game.” Since signing on a permanent deal in the summer, Ballard has spent the vast majority of his time on the treatment table and in recovery. Whilst it has been a source of frustration, the centre half is hoping that time was put to good use. He continued: “With injuries, it always gives you time to work on other stuff especially in the gym. I am just hoping I have used the time wisely and I can come back and, after a few games, be fitter and stronger than I was before. “Of course it is never nice to be injured. This injury in particular has been extremely tough. The timing of it and with the injury itself. But it was really relieving to be able to get through that today. “I’m really excited now and it gives me that drive to go and challenge for my spot again.” With Ballard now on the home straight in his rehabilitation, he has been quick to acknowledge the work of the medical staff behind the scenes. He added: “There has been a lot of ups and downs. They have put in so much work that not a lot of people see and they probably don’t know how appreciative I am. The fans have done a lot for me as well so I am really appreciative of it.”
Half way through the league season after this game… A win would have us top 10 with a healthy positive GD. I’ve had plenty of complaints lately but that couldn’t be knocked, not one bit. Ha’way the lads
The main reason I reckon Ballard will play is the way Mowbray talks about him now that he's back. He said he was class for Millwall when Mowbray was at Blackburn and even when he was injured here he said he was a mountain of a lad walking around the place. I just get the feeling he wants him back ASAP. Agree it will he harsh on Alese, Onien, Gooch or whoever misses out but I think Mowbray likes Ballard a lot and will put him in. No idea if it will be a back 4 or 3 or what though.
Decent chance I can make it to this game so I'm saying we'll win 3-0. Hull have won one game in six so balls to them, these are the games we should be winning. Whatever happens I'd guess we'll be the only team rying to play football. Hull is an awful place to go, with weird lumpy inhabitants, dreary streets and pubs they could use in reality drama shoots. If I go I'll meet the lads for a quick pint, get to the match and straight home after.
Should be a good away end, this was a really popular one. I had a long queue when my ticket was made available
'Local derby', quite some history and a match we can win ... ... should be a great support down there.
Looking forward to the lads bouncing back from the WBA game. Personally think Stewart and Ballard will be on the bench, certainly competition for places is getting stronger. Still hoping we have enough to beat them, so a 0-2 victory with Clarke and Baath scoring
RTB just win, our away record is better than our home record. So there is reason for optimism. We had a first Monday, scored from a penalty. Now to score from a free kick and a corner.
Surprised to see how tight our recent history with these has been, lots of draws, we certainly don't want another so we need to step up and put right that awful second half on Monday night, see us winning with a 2 goal cushion, we seem more at home playing away if you know what I mean HTL.
Agree Be pissed off if Stewart's not there though - 2 weeks of training and no reactions. If not now, when? Hopefully Ballard available for Boxing Day
