Sunderland have been handed a major injury boost with Michael Beale confirming Dan Ballard will be available to face Plymouth this weekend.

Ballard gave Sunderland a big scare in the dying seconds of the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough, with him falling heavily under challenge from Josh Coburn.

He was in obvious pain, holding his shoulder while receiving treatment on the sidelines at the Riverside.

Beale, though, says the Northern Irishman is okay and will take his usual place in the Sunderland line-up as long as he gets through Friday’s training session okay.

“Dan will train tomorrow and providing there’s no issues, he’ll play,” Beale said.

Sunderland will also be further strengthened by Patrick Roberts getting sharper following his comeback at Middlesbrough and a week’s training, and Beale expects Romaine Mundle to be more ready to make an impact after playing 60 minutes for the Under-21s.

Meanwhile, Chris Rigg will return to the squad, but January signing Callum Styles is still a week or so away following surgery to remove his appendix.

“Paddy has had a few more days training into him which is a positive, and the same with Romaine,” Beale explained.

“Callum Styles is back out running now, and will probably rejoin the group in the middle of next week providing everything goes to plan.”

Although Ballard is injury-free, he is still one booking away from being forced to serve a two-match suspension.