DAN Ballard has lifted the lid on his crucial behind the scenes summer work that he believes paved the way for his hugely impressive start to the Premier League season.

Ballard only started 12 Championship games in last season's promotion winning campaign and although he was the hero in the play-off semi-final success over Coventry City, the former Arsenal youngster went into the summer knowing he had to do everything in his power to make sure he didn't endure another injury-disrupted season.

There was one early setback when he was forced off in the August defeat to Burnley, but that proved to be a minor problem and Ballard has started seven and featured in 10 of Sunderland's first 12 Premier League games.

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