Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce wants to keep his loan rangers
STEVE BRUCE has praised the impact that Sunderland's loan rangers have had on the Black Cats' season - and admitted that he would be interested in signing all five on permanent deals.[LNB] Bruce has reaped rewards from the temporary transfer market during the campaign, with John Mensah (Lyon), Ahmed Elmohamady (ENPPI), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Nedum Onuoha (Manchester City) and Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan) all playing their part in Sunderland's charge towards European qualification.[LNB] The main success story has been Welbeck, who overcame a difficult start to his spell on Wearside to record some fine performances in a red-and-white shirt, scoring six goals so far in the Premier League.[LNB] And the Black Cats boss revealed that he is doing all he can to ensure that all five will return to the Stadium of Light next season, starting with Elmohamady, whose parent club have been informed this week that Sunderland will be taking up the option of a permanent transfer at a price of around £2.5m.[LNB] Bruce said: "It's something that's gone unnoticed really, and it's only right to remind everybody. We've got five players on-loan and they've all done great.[LNB] "So my immediate question, the immediate priority is can we secure all of them The big doubt for me is obviously Welbeck and we have to be respectful to Manchester United. We will ask the question, when it can be asked. It's a double-edged sword because the better he does for us, the more he improves, the more likely he is to go back.[LNB] "Nedum is a bright boy, a good player, great to have around, a smile and has made a huge contribution. You'd have him all day. Elmohamady is done and dusted, he's done a great job. He's been fantastic in his first year in the Premier League.[LNB] "Muntari is desperate to stay. I thought he had his best game for us, easily at Arsenal. He's getting fitter. He hadn't played for about six months, but he's that type of midfield player that I've been wanting.[LNB] "The deal is in place, but the only thing is can we satisfy his wage demands, because they kid has taken a hell of a drop to come here. So we'll do our utmost."[LNB] "My first priority is can we secure the ones we've got."[LNB] Injury has dogged Muntari's Ghanaian counterpart Mensah's second spell at Sunderland, and Bruce admitted that a permanent move for the centre-half is still undecided, with parent club Lyon eager to make a big return on a player they paid 8m Euros for in 2007.[LNB] Bruce said: "John's been unfortunate because he's had trauma injuries - he's dislocated his ankle and twisted his shoulder. The kid has been unlucky. There's never been a sign of his bad back or whatever he had before. With John we'll see where we are at the end of the season."[LNB] With Sunderland's benefactor Ellis Short unerringly prepared to front large amounts of cash to support his team's climb up the Premier League table, it is understood that there would be no problems in tying up permanent deals for all five - and there would still be money in the pot to bring in at least one other player, with the Black Cats continuing to be linked with former Newcastle United winger Charles N'Zogbia.[LNB] But Bruce will not be deterred from dipping again into the loan market, should the right player materialise.[LNB] He explained: "The one thing you want is for loan players to have a bit of hunger about them and come and play. Sometimes you get them who are fed up from their club and they upset the applecart at your club. So you have to be careful.[LNB] "Thankfully the boys here have had a massive impact. All five have done extremely well, even some of them in just a short period of being here. They are good boys who want to play.[LNB] "Sulley is the biggest example. He could have sat on Inter Milan's. But he wanted to play and to come back to England. He is here and moving from Milan lock stock and barrel."[LNB]
