Ex-Rangers boss reveals Sunderland dressing room reaction as former Arsenal defender returns

The former Arsenal defender had been out for more than four months after suffering a foot injury.

Summer signing Ballard made a big impression in his early appearances after making the move to Wearside in the summer, before suffering that significant setback during the 2-2 draw with QPR.

The 22-year-old – who took part in the warm weather training camp in Dubai – played an hour in the Premier League Cup group stage game against Reading with Sunderland 2-1 winners, Tom Scott and Harrison Sohna with the goals.

Coach Graeme Murty said: “It was great to see Dan back out on the pitch. He actually gave me a bit of a mucky look when he came off as he wanted to stay on!

“He’s a reassuring presence, a mountain of a man, and a real, genuinely nice guy. He was desperate to play and be involved, and desperate to get back to what he wants to be doing every single day.

“The lads gave him a round of applause when he returned to the dressing room, and he’s done everything with a smile on his face. He’s been fantastic around the group.”

The U21s sit on three points in Group H heading into Friday’s penultimate group fixture at Cardiff City.

Murty added: “I said to the lads that when you’re leading 2-0, it’s the small slack things that give your opponents hope. We were guilty at times by being a little loose, but I do have to say it was a wonderful goal Reading scored.

“But it was good to see the lads struggle with that pressure of defending the one-goal lead. Naturally, they dropped a bit deeper and were sometimes frantic in possession, and they need to learn that cool head amongst all the chaos. That situation in the game will hugely benefit the boys.

“The lead was due reward for the quality of the play in the first 20 minutes of the second half. We talked about our organisation and communication being a lot better, but then we challenged the lads to be smoother and slicker with the ball. The speed and tempo of our passing and our rotation and decision-making went together very well.”