Steve Bruce hopes John Mensah does not live up to his unwanted ââ¬ÅCrock of Gibraltarâ⬠tag as he tries to solve Sunderlandââ¬â¢s defensive crisis.
Anton Ferdinand joined Michael Turner and Titus Bramble on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, leaving injury-prone Mensah as the only recognised centre-back Bruce can call on.
Black Cats boss Bruce admits his side look stronger with Ghanaââ¬â¢s skipper at the back.
But a chronic back problem means Mensah â⬓ nicknamed the Rock of Gibraltar in his homeland for his physique â⬓ has made just 19 Premier League starts in 16 months at the Stadium of Light. Mensah, 28, is midway through a second season on loan from French side Lyon, and Bruce said: ââ¬ÅMensah is immense for us. Weââ¬â¢ve just got to keep him on the pitch.
ââ¬ÅFor him to be our only standing centre-back at the moment worries me a bit.
ââ¬ÅHe takes his fair share of whacks, but itââ¬â¢s testament to him that he shrugs them off and carries on. He continually puts himself on the line for this club.ââ¬
Mensah hardly trains during the week and is currently playing through a shoulder injury, helping Sunderland to clean sheets in their last two games.
Sunderland team-mate Danny Welbeck said: ââ¬ÅNothing gets past him.
ââ¬ÅWhen he hits you, you know youââ¬â¢ve been hit. Heââ¬â¢s big and fast. Heââ¬â¢s an animal really â⬓ Iââ¬â¢ve never seen a defender like him.ââ¬