Sunderland have assured injury-prone Ghanaian defender John Mensah would be protected against further ailments in order to stay fit for a possible World Cup call-up.

The Black Cats were without the key Ghanaian for the second half of their game against Burnley. However, the Premier League outfit reacted to rumours that the player’s injury was severe as they insisted it only was a precautionary measure.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce told safc.com, “John is okay, he will be fit for next week. That was the calculated gamble, to be 2-0 up and say, ‘Okay, it’s job done’.

“Also, we have to look after John, first and foremost to get him through the next three games, but he has got a huge World Cup coming up.

“He will be okay for next week, hopefully – unless he falls off his bike.”