Black Cats boss wants defensive duo

30 April 2010 17:28
Sunderland are hoping to retain the services of on-loan defenders Alan Hutton and John Mensah for next season's Premier League campaign.[LNB] Tottenham full-back Hutton has enjoyed an impressive spell on Wearside since joining on loan in January, while Mensah has shown his quality despite his season-long move from Lyon being repeatedly interrupted by injury.[LNB]Manager Steve Bruce has made no secret of his admiration for both players and chairman Niall Quinn and chief executive Steve Walton revealed on Friday the Black Cats will pursue their interest in both men during a webchat with fans on the club's official website.[LNB]Asked about Hutton, Quinn said: "We have been happy with Alan. I sat down with him this morning and was delighted to hear his desire to come permanently to SAFC.[LNB]"I now have to contact [Spurs' executive chairman] Daniel Levy to see if this is possible."[LNB]On the subject of Mensah, Walton replied: "John's a really tough one.[LNB]"He wants to stay, we want him to stay and I'm hoping to visit Lyon shortly to try and strike a deal for another year.[LNB]"But the original proposal cannot be accepted. Watch this space."[LNB]Walton, who also confirmed the club is working on a deal to bring Paraguayan midfielder Christian Riveros to Wearside, insisted there will be no high-profile departures from the Stadium of Light this summer.[LNB]He said: "There is no way we will sell any of our top players, except for crazy money. It's about getting better every year, not going backwards."[LNB]Asked specifically if he was concerned about the big guns expressing an interest in leading scorer Darren Bent, who took his goal tally for the season to 25 at Hull last weekend, Quinn replied: "If so, it's great that they are because it means we are in a very good place with a very good player.[LNB]"We see Darren being phenomenal for this club for a long time to come."[LNB]Quinn also admitted he is looking forward to the return of the derby clashes with Newcastle following the Magpies' promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship at the first attempt.[LNB]He added: "Can't wait, it's been sorely missed this year. Never mind commercially, our football club has missed out emotionally without the derby.[LNB]"The build-up, the aftermath, the passion, bring it on."

Source: Team_Talk