SUNDERLAND’S defensive problems have been exacerbated by a back injury that is set to sideline Carl Winchester for a prolonged spell.

The Black Cats will be without Dan Ballard for a number of months after the summer signing suffered a fractured foot during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with QPR.

Ballard’s absence is a huge blow, and the defensive situation is worsened by the unavailability of Winchester, who was not part of the squad at the weekend.

The Northern Irishman is struggling with a problem with his back, and is set to see a specialist in the next 24 hours to ascertain the full extent of the issue.

Sunderland head coach Alex Neil said: “Unfortunately for us, at the moment, Winny (Winchester) is injured, so he’s out for a little while.

“I think he’s due to see the specialist tomorrow, so we’ll get a better idea of that one then. That’s why, at the moment, he isn’t in contention for a role in the backline.”

Ballard is also due to see another specialist in the next couple of days, with Neil reluctant to put a precise time frame on the centre-half’s absence.

There is a chance he will not be available until after the World Cup break in December though, which Neil concedes is making him reassess his transfer priorities in the remainder of the window.

Sunderland have signed Ballard and Aji Alese to strengthen their backline this summer, as well as re-signing Bailey Wright, but this week’s injury developments have seriously reduced Neil’s defensive options.

When asked whether Ballard’s injury meant he might have to consider signing another centre-half, Neil said: “Yeah. Dan has been a key signing for us, he’s got mobility, he’s good on the ball, big and strong, his best years are ahead of him. He’s everything we want in a signing.

“Realistically, those players are really, really hard to come by, particularly for what we can afford. I could give you a list of players right now, in fact I’ve got a list in my draw, but the difficult part is, ‘What can you get for where we are and what we’re trying to do?’