Cana: John Mensah will be intelligent signing

Aug 20 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

THE man Steve Bruce looks set to make his sixth Sunderland signing has received a glowing recommendation from another of his summer recruits.

The Black Cats are hoping to close out a season-long deal for John Mensah this week with chairman Niall Quinn confirming the move is only awaiting the result of a medical. They will have the option of buying him outright next summer for £7m.

And, having played against the versatile Ghana defender in France’s Ligue 1, midfielder Lorik Cana has promised the 26-year-old will be worth waiting for.

Cana has already made a good impression since joining from Marseille last month. His combative style and leadership qualities have endeared him to the fans in two games in which he has struck up a good partnership with another recent addition, Lee Cattermole.

If Cana’s recommendation is anything to go by, Mensah should prove a similarly good acquisition. “He is a player I know well,” said the Albanian international. “I’ve played against him a number of times in the past, and has always impressed me when he has been on the other team.

“He is a very good player who plays in the best team in France (Lyon), so that has to say something.

“He did not play in all of Lyon’s matches last season, but I don’t think people should read too much into that. Lyon are like the Chelsea or the Manchester United of France, and very few players play every game at those clubs.

“He is a good player and I think he can really help us. He is tall, but he is also quick and strong. I think he has all of the qualities you need to be a successful defender in the Premier League.”

And Quinn revealed: “There are ten days to go of the transfer window and we probably need a centre half. We are talking to Mensah, we have agreed terms and now have to wait for the medical and to see if he would fit in at the club.

“On the other side of the coin some players are getting a bit frustrated with the situation and may have to go. We are working on both sides and we will do as well as we can until the window closes.

“The nucleus of the squad is there and it will take time to gel. There is a new strength to the team that wasn’t there last year.”