TONY MOWBRAY has confirmed that Adil Aouchiche and Bradley Dack were both absent from the squad for Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat at Leicester City last night because they suffered injuries as second-half substitutes at Stoke.

Aouchiche is suffering from a groin injury, while Dack has damaged his hamstrings, and as result, the pair were omitted from the Black Cats squad at the King Power Stadium.

READ MORE:

It remains to be seen whether they are able to recover in time for Saturday’s home game against Norwich City.

Mowbray said: “Adil is injured – groin. Dack is injured – hamstring.

“That’s the situation, they’re not with us and obviously if they’re injured, then they’re not fit and they can’t play.”

Dan Ballard was a major injury doubt ahead of the game at the King Power, but the Northern Ireland international was passed fit to play prior to kick-off.

Mowbray said: “Dan didn’t train all week after the last game, and we didn’t think he was going to play on Monday.

“But I had a chat with him. We were talking about the 80s, when no one ever scanned anybody. I said to Dan, ‘What are you feeling? Are you injured or not?’

“He said he was a bit sore, but he was warrior-like and went out and played immaculately. That’s what you want.”

Dan Neil was hobbling in the closing stages of last night’s game, but Mowbray revealed that the midfielder was only suffering from cramp and should be okay for the weekend.