Source: Daily_Mail
Bruce set to land Rock of Gibraltar' Mensah on season-long loan
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce appears to have given up hope of landing Richard Dunne or Sylvain Distin and is switching his attention to Lyon defender John Mensah.
Bruce, who faces Chelsea in his first home game at the Stadium of Light tomorrow, has spent most of the summer pursuing the two centre-backs with vast Barclays Premier League experience.
But a combination of Dunne's massive wages and Portsmouth's reluctance to sell Distin have left Bruce frustrated during the close season.
The former Wigan boss is now confident of signing a loan deal with 26-year-old Ghana international Mensah, who has played for seven clubs across Europe in as many years. Sunderland are looking to tie up a loan deal for this season, with a view to a £7million permanent move.
Bruce admitted: `It's fair to say we are close to agreeing a loan deal from now until the end of the season and hopefully I will know more in next 24 or 48 hours.'
The Sunderland manager is also still in talks with former West Ham and Blackburn defender Lucas Neill who was left out of Australia's impressive 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in Limerick last week. The Aussie captain is available on a free transfer.
Meanwhile midfielders Kieran Richardson and Steed Malbranque are both doubtful after picking up a dead leg and twisted ankle respectively in Sunderland's win at Bolton on Saturday. Bruce has rated the pair 50/50.
