SUNDERLAND's hopes of Dan Ballard returning to action before the end of the season and easing Tony Mowbray's defensive concerns have taken a blow, with the centre-half not yet back in training.

Mowbray had initially hoped that the 23-year-old would have recovered from his hamstring injury in time to at least return to the matchday squad for Saturday's visit of Watford.

But that has now been ruled out, and the final day trip to Preston also looks a stretch for Ballard. Mowbray and his coaching staff are reluctant to rush the centre-half, but hope he's fit to return for the play-offs if Sunderland manage to hold on to a top six spot.

With Ballard and Danny Batth both out of action, Mowbray doesn't have a recognised senior central defender available for the final two fixtures. He had to switch to a back three at West Brom, with Trai Hume and Dennis Cirkin playing either side of Luke O'Nien.

It worked out well, but Mowbray would obviously welcome the return of Ballard. As things stand, however, he's reluctant to put a timescale on the injury.

"That one has probably backtracked a little bit, if I'm honest," said Sunderland's boss.

"He hasn't been able to train this week, he had been jogging and feeling a lot better and we thought he might be able to get on the grass - but that hasn't been the case.

"I don't know the answer beyond the two games, to be honest. My mentality at the moment is that he's not available for this one.

"He'd have train for two or three days having been out for a few weeks if he was to give himself a chance for the last one, and my hope is that we keep a clean sheet and defend really well for this one and then even if he's fit, I have a decision to make about whether we'd even want to change it.

"We'll just take it day by day with Dan, we've had times where it's felt alright and it's felt as if he can push on, and then days where its a bit sore. It's a daily thing at the moment.

"It's not a long-term thing, and if we were to extend the season by a couple of games then there's every chance he'd be able to play a part."

Mowbray has no fresh injuries to deal with ahead of Saturday's visit of Watford.

He said: We're not expecting anybody back but no one [further] is out either, so I don't think it will be too far away from the choices we had at West Brom."

After West Brom and Blackburn both lost their midweek games in hand, Sunderland go into their final two fixtures knowing maximum points will, other than an unlikely goal difference swing, take them into the play-offs.

Ticket sales have soared past the 40,000 mark for Saturday's game - with only limited seats now available.

Mowbray said: "I talk a lot about the supporters. It's great for them that they can see the team win and perform and they can enjoy an inexperienced team.

"For the fans, good moments, happy days, it's amazing that they travel in such numbers to away games. It's been difficult at times for us at home but hopefully we can find a way at the weekend to finish the season strong and thank the supporters after the game and hopefully keep the season rolling for a little bit more."

Watford head for Wearside with their season having fallen apart. They've won just one of their last seven and slipped into the bottom half, but Mowbray remains wary of the threat posed by Chris Wilder's side.

He said: "There's a huge threat from Watford. If you think of Ismaïla Sarr and João Pedro, they have lots of dangerous attacking threats. For whatever reason, they've obviously had some problems, but when I look at the individual talent, it's a game we have to really focus on."