John Mensah could have his loan deal with Sunderland extended for another season as Black Cats manager Steve Bruce hopes to keep the Ghanaian on his roster.

Injuries have held up any moves to sign on the Ghana defender on a permanent contract.

Mensah was signed on a season long loan from Olympique Lyon and has been brilliant when he has played even though a back injury has restricted his appearance.

Now Bruce seems to have decided that injury will prevent a long term deal even though he will be looking to tie up another loan spell next week.

“John’s agent is flying over next week and we are desperate to do a deal,” Bruce said.

“It will be very difficult to buy him because of his problems. If we can get him on the same loan, I’ll do that just to have him in the building, because we all know what a good player he is."