John Mensah’s future will remain unresolved until after the World Cup, after Lyon warned Sunderland they will not be rushed into making a decision on whether to let the injury-hit Ghana defender leave in a cut-price deal.

The Black Cats have turned down the option to make his loan deal permanent for £8m because of the defender’s injury problems, but still want to re-sign Mensah.

They hope to negotiate either another season-long loan, a pay-as-you-play deal or a much smaller transfer fee with Lyon.

Discussions have already hit a stumbling block though, with Mensah’s agent Fabien Piveteau revealing to The Journal that the French side have ruled out a quick decision.

They will wait until after this summer’s World Cup before deciding on Mensah’s future – even though the player is desperate to return to Wearside next season.

Mensah, who is ruled out of the final game of the season on Sunday, still hopes to make South Africa 2010 but faces a race against time to be fit.

“The player wants to stay, Sunderland would like him to stay but the problem is with Lyon now,” Piveteau told The Journal.

“Lyon don’t want to discuss it until after the World Cup. I think

that maybe they will wait for that and I don’t know what Sunderland will decide to do.

“I don’t think that Lyon are waiting for other clubs to be interested in him. He wants to sign for Sunderland because he likes Steve Bruce, he likes the players and the club has shown faith in him.

JOHN Mensah’s future will remain unresolved until after the World Cup, after Lyon warned Sunderland they will not be rushed into making a decision on whether to let the injury-hit Ghana defender leave in a cut-price deal.

The Black Cats have turned down the option to make his loan deal permanent for £8m because of the defender’s injury problems, but still want to re-sign Mensah.

They hope to negotiate either another season-long loan, a pay-as-you-play deal or a much smaller transfer fee with Lyon.

Discussions have already hit a stumbling block though, with Mensah’s agent Fabien Piveteau revealing to The Journal that the French side have ruled out a quick decision.

They will wait until after this summer’s World Cup before deciding on Mensah’s future – even though the player is desperate to return to Wearside next season.

Mensah, who is ruled out of the final game of the season on Sunday, still hopes to make South Africa 2010 but faces a race against time to be fit.

“The player wants to stay, Sunderland would like him to stay but the problem is with Lyon now,” Piveteau told The Journal.

“Lyon don’t want to discuss it until after the World Cup. I think

that maybe they will wait for that and I don’t know what Sunderland will decide to do.

“I don’t think that Lyon are waiting for other clubs to be interested in him. He wants to sign for Sunderland because he likes Steve Bruce, he likes the players and the club has shown faith in him.