DAN BALLARD will not be involved in Sunderland’s ‘win-or-bust’ play-off decider at Preston on Monday, with Tony Mowbray determined not to risk the centre-half ahead of a possible three-game run beyond of the end of the regular campaign.

Ballard has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring strain while on international duty with Northern Ireland in late March, with the impact of his absence being heightened by the injury that has ruled his fellow centre-half, Danny Batth, out of the remainder of the season.

With his central-defensive options extremely stretched, Tony Mowbray has been forced to play Trai Hume and Luke O’Nien at the heart of his back four in Sunderland’s last two matches.

It has been hoped that Ballard might have been able to return at Deepdale on the final day of the season, with the Black Cats now knowing that they need to beat Preston to have any chance of finishing in the top six.

However, while the 23-year-old’s recovery has been progressing roughly according to schedule, Mowbray does not feel he is yet in a position where he can safely start next Monday’s game. As a result, the Black Cats boss would rather err on the side of caution in the hope of needing Ballard for a play-off semi-final later this month.

“I think Preston will come too soon for him,” said Mowbray. “I think if we finish in the top six, there's a chance he will take part in the games that follow that.

“Again, I don't think you gamble with a footballer who isn't, in his mind, 100 per cent to play. I think we'll make the best of what we've got and will find a way, like I keep saying.”

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With Ballard and Batth both absent, Sunderland lack an aerial presence at the heart of their back four. That was not really exploited in the win over West Brom, but it is surely no coincidence that with Hume and O’Nien at the heart of the back four, the Black Cats conceded two goals from set-pieces as they drew with Watford at the weekend.

Preston will no doubt be targeting Sunderland’s centre-half position as an area of potential weakness next Monday, meaning Mowbray has a week to come up with a plan that will enable his side to successfully defend set-pieces.

“We know it's an Achilles heel without Ballard and without Batth and Alese and Ross Stewart,” he said. “There's four players that would definitely help that scenario, but they are not available. It's difficult when they've got big, aggressive, guys who make a living by heading balls.

“Someone in my office just said, 'Have you thought about putting two players up the pitch?' (from corners), but my view on that is that the more space you give big guys to run into, the more dangerous they become because the more likely they are to win headers. I try to fill the box up with loads of bodies so they can’t get a clear run.”