Northern Ireland defender Dan Ballard in action for Sunderland

Dan Ballard will miss Northern Ireland’s first two World Cup qualifying games, according to club boss Régis Le Bris.

Ballard limped out of Sunderland’s 2-0 loss to Burnley on Saturday, forcing the powerful defender to miss the Black Cats’ Carabao Cup loss to Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.

After the cup tie, Le Bris said that the 25 year-old is likely to be out for three weeks. That will rule him out of the trip to Luxembourg on September 4 and the game against Germany in Cologne three days later.

“We had the diagnosis yesterday, so he’s probably out around three weeks for Dan. Maybe two,” Le Bris said in his post-match press conference.

Michael O’Neill may ask for Ballard to be assessed by Northern Ireland’s own medical staff before the team meet up in Liverpool early next week, but the odds are stacked against the former Arsenal man.

Dundee’s Aaron Donnelly is on stand by for the forthcoming internationals with Luxembourg and Germany

Ballard’s injury means that San Diego’s Paddy McNair and Bolton Wanderers captain Eoin Toal will likely start in the heart of defence. Alternatively, fullback Trai Hume more than capable of playing centrally.

Norwich City’s Ruairi McConville is another option, while Dundee defender Aaron Donnelly is likely to be called into the squad once Ballard’s status is confirmed.

Northern Ireland will also be without Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles for the double header, with Fleetwood Town’s Stephen McMullan called into the squad. Charles’ absence means Blackpool’s Bailey Peacock-Farrell is likely start his first international in a year.