Man City show a family affair for Mensah
John Mensah turned Sunday's game against Manchester City into a real family affair, with his mam, dad and brother all watching from the stands.
And afterwards, the centre-half who played a starring role in the 1-1 draw, underlined how he would love to become a permanent part of the Sunderland "family" when his season-long loan expires.
"I would like to stay here. I am happy and glad – my colleagues make me happy," he admitted.
"I am enjoying it at Sunderland.
"My dad and my brother were here for the City game and that is the first time all my family have come here to watch a game.
"I am very happy and I tried to show my dad how well his son is playing.
"Unfortunately, we lost the lead and I am not too happy about that but in the next game we will deliver."
Manager Steve Bruce is delighted and relieved to finally be able to get Mensah (left) on the pitch regularly, as he has described him as "Champions League quality".
After Sunday's game, Bruce reflected: "I think that's his 12th or 13th game. We've lost once.
"He's a top-class act and you just have to watch him once to realise that. How he does it week-in, week-out is beyond me. You have to be an exceptional footballer to do what he does because he only trains once a week on a Friday.
"The rest of the time it's bikes and pools and massages. We're nursing him through one week to the next, but he's such a good, natural athlete – and a good player – that he gets away with it."
Bruce was wrong on Mensah's stats – the Ghanaian skipper has played 13 games with defeats in the away trips to Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal – but there's no doubt Sunderland are a vastly improved side every time he plays.
Mensah credits a lot of his return to playing ways to Sunderland's medical staff and the special treatment plan they have devised for him
to avoid picking up further niggling injuries.
"The physios are working hard," he said.
"Back in France I used to have a lot of injuries but they are working hard on keeping me fit. And everyone, the players and management, are all keeping me very happy, which is the main thing.
"I have worked very hard with the physios here and I believe I am back now, fit and ready. It has been hard, getting as fit as I can for games without doing much training with the ball but if this is the best way forward I am happy to work this way."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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