Major Sunderland AFC player blows emerge with Regis Le Bris to face big dilemmas | OneFootball

Enzo Le Fee and Dan Ballard are both set to be sidelined at a pivotal point of the season

Promotion-chasers Sunderland have reportedly suffered a serious double injury blow, with star loanee Enzo Le Fee ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring problem and commanding centre-back Dan Ballard sidelined for up to eight weeks after both were substituted last time out against Hull City.

The Black Cats have been the surprise package at the top of the Championship table so far, but after their automatic promotion hopes took a hit with a defeat to the Tigers on Saturday, they are also now set to have to do battle over the coming months without two of their key men.

French playmaker Le Fee has been a revelation on Wearside since his January arrival on loan from Roma, and his signing signalled a real statement of intent by the club after he had only joined the Italian side from Rennes last summer for a reported figure of around €23m.

Northern Ireland international Ballard has been with the Black Cats for a little while longer, after he joined from Arsenal in June 2022, and has been an important figure in their backline over recent seasons when fit, but has suffered recurring injury issues that look to have reared their head once again at a pivotal time in the campaign.

Fresh Enzo Le Fee, Dan Ballard injury updates emerge

Le Fee and Ballard were each handed a starting berth by Regis Le Bris for the visit of the Tigers on Saturday as Sunderland looked to keep up the pace on the top two, but the former made way for fit-again Romaine Mundle at half-time, while the latter was forced off just four minutes into the second half for Chris Mepham after suffering a hamstring tweak as he stretched to block a shot.

Boss Le Bris confirmed in the immediate aftermath of the surprise 1-0 loss that both players were to be assessed following the game, and a new update has confirmed Black Cats' supporters' worst fears over each of their respective injuries.

Roker Report have claimed that both Le Fee and Ballard are due to be sidelined for an extended period as the season rapidly draws to a close, with the Frenchman believed to be out for around six weeks until at least the start of April, while the 25-year-old centre-back will be unavailable for around eight weeks, which means he faces a race against time to even play again in the regular season.

Another player who may not take to the pitch for the Black Cats before the campaign ends is Liverpool loanee Jayden Danns, who, according to Roker Report's sources, is unlikely to play this season. Danns is yet to even feature for Sunderland after arriving with an injury last month, and it will be a huge let-down if he fails to take to the pitch for the club.

Le Fee will be a big miss for the Black Cats, Ballard possibly less so

Sunderland will feel like their top six place is all-but-secured at this point, as long as their form doesn't fall off dramatically, but two consecutive losses against Leeds United and Hull may be the beginning of a slight wobble, and these two injuries will not help fans' cause for concern.

Le Fee's first few performances for the club had already highlighted just how impactful he can be, yet they now must do without him for at least six weeks, during which time they take on play-off chasing Coventry City, West Brom and Norwich City away from home.

Boss Le Bris will absolutely feel as if he has enough at his disposal in attack to manage their form and continue to pick up points, particularly with Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle now back fit and ready to make an impact, but his admiration of his fellow Frenchman has been no secret, particularly given that he has started all eight league games since his arrival last month.

Ballard is another key man who Sunderland will miss, but if truth be told, the Black Cats have learned to cope without him at times over his two-and-a-half years at the Stadium of Light.

He had only made 12 Championship starts this season prior to this injury, and despite his stellar performances when he does feature, Chris Mepham will no doubt be an able deputy in his absence. Le Bris' main worry will be if he suffers another injury in that department, with only Leo Hjelde able to play there otherwise.