Ghana captain John Mensah has been given a rousing welcome on his return to French side Lyon after a two-year absence.

The defender started training the French side on Friday after spending two years on loan at English side Sunderland.

He was mobbed by his team-mates as they hailed his return to the team to fight for his position.

Sunderland opted not to give him a permanent deal which resulted in new Lyon coach Rémi Garde to give him a chance at the club.

He will only stay at Lyon if he is guaranteed more playing time at the Stade Gerland.

Mensah joined Lyon in the summer of 2008 but left the club the following year to Sunderland-where he spent two seasons on loan-after falling down the pecking order.

With the departure of Claude Puel as head coach, the Rock of Gibraltar could see through the remainder of his five-year contract.