Bruce - Mensah top-class

Mensah: Bruce praise

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has praised defender John Mensah and described him as a 'top-class act'.

The Ghanaian has returned to the Black Cats side for their last four games and has performed well, as Sunderland have now moved clear of the relegation zone in the Premier League.

A series of niggling injuries have hampered his progress on Wearside this season, and even now he is rarely able to train with his team-mates.

But manager Bruce heaped praise on the athletic African, who he says is a consistent performer.

"He is a top, top-class act, the kid," he said.

"You just have to watch him once or twice. How he does it week in, week out is beyond me.

"You have to be an exceptionally talented footballer to do what he does because he only trains on a Friday.

"The rest of the time it is bikes and pools and massages and just nursing him through from one week to the next.

"But he is such a good natural athlete that he gets away with it."

Sunderland have the option to make Mensah's loan deal from Lyon permanent at the end of the current campaign.

The Black Cats' next game is against Birmingham City in the league at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.