John Mensah's heart is set on Cats stay

Feb 26 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

JOHN Mensah is desperate to stay at Sunderland after his loan deal runs out at the end of the season.

The Ghana defender’s agent Fabien Piveteau has told The Journal that Mensah has his heart set on a move to the Stadium of Light – and is confident that the player’s fitness problems are finally behind him.

A succession of niggling injuries has restricted Mensah to just eight starts this season, but when he has been on the pitch he has been Sunderland’s best defender.

And that is sure to come into Bruce’s thinking when he decides whether or not to take up the option that was part of the deal Sunderland struck with Mensah’s parent club Lyon in the summer.

The Black Cats negotiated first refusal on the Ghana defender and have until May 30 to take up the option of making the loan move a permanent deal. As of yet there have been no discussions between Bruce and the player but Mensah is keen to remain on Wearside for the long-term.

“John definitely wants to stay. He wants to be at Sunderland next season very much,” said Piveteau.

“He likes the club, he loves the atmosphere of the crowd and the

supporters and he sees Sunderland as his future if they want him to stay. It is a loan deal but he has always wanted to stay.

“There have been no discussions yet between the manager and John but they have to take up an option before May 30 if they want to keep him so we will see what happens.