Ghana captain John Mensah is yet to earn the chance of a full contract offer from Sunderland and coach Steve Bruce has admitted he has a difficult decision to make over the defender's future.
Mensah has been fantastic when fit but being fit is his one and only flaw, so much so he was given a second chance at earning a contract from last season, being given another loan deal this season.
But itââ¬â¢s been pretty much that same story even with an impressive campaign for his country in the World Cup finals, at club level the 28-year-old has spent a good part of his time visiting the physio.
Bruce said: ââ¬ÅWe have a decision to make on John at some stage and I can tell right now, itââ¬â¢s not going to be an easy oneââ¬.
ââ¬ÅHeââ¬â¢s one of the best defenders Iââ¬â¢ve ever seen when heââ¬â¢s fit, but heââ¬â¢s often not and you have to decide on where the balance stands in terms of the club getting value for moneyââ¬.
The Sunderland manager added about Mensahââ¬â¢s second loan deal: ââ¬ÅHeââ¬â¢s a smashing lad and a wonderful player, an excellent team player, and a good influence on the dressing room and in the end I felt it was worth taking a risk because heââ¬â¢s such a quality playerââ¬.
John Mensah has also spoke about being give another opportunity, ââ¬ÅIââ¬â¢m excited to be at this club at this time.ââ¬
ââ¬ÅIt meant everything that the club came back in for me in for me over the summer.à à I have the highest confidence in the people around me medically and they are helping me to stay as fit as possible for games.ââ¬
ââ¬ÅThatââ¬â¢s good because I want to be a success and I want to be a success with this club.ââ¬
Source: Sunderland Echo