SUNDERLAND could be boosted by some welcome good news on the injury front, with Dan Ballard named in the Northern Ireland squad for this month's get-together - suggesting the defender's injury isn't as bad as first feared.

Ballard was forced off in the second half of Sunderland's defeat to Southampton at the weekend with a hamstring injury.

Mike Dodds - who is set to speak to the media on Friday afternoon - is battling a defensive crisis, which deepened this week when Jenson Seelt was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

But Ballard's inclusion in the Northern Ireland squad for the games against Romania and Scotland later this month is a positive development, even if this Saturday's game against Queens Park Rangers comes too soon for the 24-year-old.

Ballard has been a mainstay in Sunderland's starting XI and his absence was felt during his recent suspension. Sunderland looked a lot more solid with Ballard in the heart of their defence against Leicester City and struggled after he was withdrawn against the Saints.

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Dodds was anxiously awaiting further news on Ballard's injury this week, with Sunderland down to bare bones at the back.

Speaking after the game at St. Mary's, the interim head coach said: "Dan tried to play on, I don't want to add any fuel to the fire because at this point I don't actually know.

"He's come off with a hamstring injury, which isn't great. I don't want to comment at the moment whether it is minor or major because he'll come in and be assessed on Monday.

"He's strapped at the moment and he's OK within himself at the moment, he's not overly panicked but we'll have to see. We'll just have to wait and see."

Sunderland have been dealt a string of defensive setbacks in recent months, with Dennis Cirkin, Aji Alese and Niall Huggins all out injured before this week's Seelt blow.

The Black Cats ended the game at St. Mary's with a makeshift back four of Trai Hume, Seelt, Leo Hjelde and Callum Styles, with Dodds facing a real selection headache ahead of this weekend.

Seelt confirmed his injury on Instagram earlier this week, writing: "I'm gutted to share the news that I suffered a knee injury during the game against Southampton.

"This has taken me by surprise and I will be out for a long period of time.

"For now, I need to focus on my recovery and do everything in my power to come back better and stronger than ever. In all difficulties during life there are lessons and things to turn into positivity."

Trai Hume is also included in Michael O'Neill's 26-man Northern Ireland squad.

The Green Army play Romania in Bucharest on Friday, March 22 and then come up against Steve Clarke’s Scotland at Hampden Park four days later.