Steve Bruce hopes John Mensah does not live up to his unwanted “Crock of Gibraltar” tag as he tries to solve Sunderland’s defensive crisis.

Anton Ferdinand joined Michael Turner and Titus Bramble on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, leaving injury-prone Mensah as the only recognised centre-back Bruce can call on.

Black Cats boss Bruce admits his side look stronger with Ghana’s skipper at the back.

But a chronic back problem means Mensah – nicknamed the Rock of Gibraltar in his homeland for his physique – has made just 19 Premier League starts in 16 months at the Stadium of Light.

Mensah, 28, is midway through a second season on loan from French side Lyon, and Bruce said: “Mensah is immense for us. We’ve just got to keep him on the pitch.

“For him to be our only standing centre-back at the moment worries me a bit.

“He takes his fair share of whacks, but it’s testament to him that he shrugs them off and carries on. He continually puts himself on the line for this club.”

Mensah hardly trains during the week and is currently playing through a shoulder injury, helping Sunderland to clean sheets in their last two games.

Sunderland team-mate Danny Welbeck said: “Nothing gets past him.

“When he hits you, you know you’ve been hit. He’s big and fast. He’s an animal really – I’ve never seen a defender like him.”