DAN BALLARD is hoping his fine club form with Sunderland will help him become one of Northern Ireland’s new generation of footballing leaders.

Ballard might just be 24, but he has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Championship since joining Sunderland from Arsenal ahead of the start of last season.

The centre-half has also assumed a leadership role within the Black Cats’ dressing room, playing an important role in gelling together an extremely young squad for the second campaign in a row.

He is currently on international duty with Northern Ireland, and is set to start both games in the home qualifying double-header that will see Michael O’Neill’s side host San Marino on Saturday before taking on Slovenia three days later.

With stalwart defender Craig Cathcart having recently announced his international retirement, there is a lack of senior expertise within the Northern Ireland squad, and Ballard is keen to step into the breach.

“Craig has been brilliant for many years,” said Ballard, who has scored two goals in Sunderland’s last six games. “He has helped me a lot, and I enjoyed playing next to him.

“He has now made the decision, so there is the space for other players to step up and carry on where he left off really. It’s a shame he has retired, but someone has to step up now – and I want to be that person.”

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It has been a big week for Northern Irish football, with UEFA’s award of Euro 2028 to the UK and Ireland meaning Belfast will be staging matches in a major tournament for the first time in just under five years’ time.

Although qualification is not guaranteed, with all five host nations expected to go through a qualifying campaign, UEFA is understood to be reserving two host nation places for any of the teams which do not make it on merit, significantly boosting Northern Ireland’s chances of featuring.

“I think that makes these games coming up now even more important,” said Stevenage-born Ballard, who qualifies to play for Northern Ireland because his mother was born in the country. “We have that goal and incentive to look forward to - I’m hoping we’ll have a strong team and a winning team by then.”

The Northern Echo: Dan Ballard is developing into a key player with Northern IrelandDan Ballard is developing into a key player with Northern Ireland (Image: PA Wire)

Ballard was a 17-year-old youngster watching at home during Euro 2016, Northern Ireland’s first appearance at a major finals in 30 years, but now has a realistic prospect of experiencing the excitement of tournament football at first hand.

“I watched all the games (in 2016),” he said. “It was amazing. I never thought I’d have that opportunity. To have it now dangling there is something to really look forward to.”

Unfortunately for Ballard and his team-mates, any notion of playing at Euro 2024 is long gone amid a horrible run of injuries to O’Neill’s squad, and they go into their double-header against San Marino and Slovenia looking to reset the narrative after five straight defeats.

Ballard is joined in the Northern Ireland defence by his Sunderland team-mate, Trai Hume, who has also enjoyed a successful start to the season in the Championship.

The pair are part of a nine-strong Sunderland international contingent that comprises both senior and youth levels.

Summer signing Nazariy Rusyn has received his maiden call-up to the senior Ukraine squad for qualifiers against North Macedonia and Malta that could go a long way towards determining whether the Ukrainians are able to seriously threaten Italy for second spot in Group C behind England. With Rusyn’s game time on Wearside having been limited, Tony Mowbray will be hoping the striker gets the opportunity to hone his skills on the international stage.

Mason Burstow has joined up with England Under-20s ahead of matches against Romania and Portugal, while Jobe Bellingham played for England Under-19s on Wednesday evening as they drew 0-0 with Montenegro.

Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson are with the England Under-18s squad, Jewison Bennette has linked up with Costa Rica Under-23s because the senior side does not have any games this month, and 18-year-old winger Trey Ogunsuyi is in the Belgium Under-18s squad.