Bruce has faith in ´special´ Mensah

Anton Ferdinand is the latest defender to join Sunderland’s injury list, but Steve Bruce is certain ‘special’ John Mensah can fill the void.

Ferdinand picked up a hamstring strain against Fulham last weekend and Bruce revealed that he will not be fit enough to face Owen Coyle’s Bolton on Saturday.

The former West Ham defender joins Michael Turner and Titus Bramble (both knee) on the sidelines, meaning Nedum Onouha starts in the centre of defence alongside Mensah.

The Ghana captain, currently on a season-long loan from Lyon, also picked up an injury against Fulham.

But Bruce confirmed he will play against Bolton, and hailed his contribution this season.

Bruce said: “If you had told me at the start of the season that John Mensah would have been my only fully fit central defender in mid-December, I probably wouldn’t have slept from then until now.”

“He’s got through two full 90 minutes in his last two games – the first time he’s done that here – and maybe there’s a few more to come.”

“At the moment his legs are strong and there’s none of the usual problems there. It’s just that his shoulder’s hanging off.”

“John has been absolutely terrific for us recently – amazing when you consider he’s been playing with a damaged shoulder. While we’re short on bodies in central defence, his contribution is even more important than normal.”

“When he’s fit, he’s good enough to play in any side and I mean any side.”

“He’s as good as anyone I’ve worked with. No, there’s no doubt about it, John Mensah’s a bit special and we’re very happy to have had him at this time.”

“To me, this effort of playing on while recovering from a dislocated shoulder shows just how much he wants to play for this club.”

But while Bruce is short of bodies in central defence, the manager has something of a selection headache further back.

Young goalkeeper Simon Mignolet impressed in the absence of injured number one Craig Gordon at the start of the season and filled in once again last Saturday.

But, with Gordon now fit again, Bruce has confirmed that the Scotsman will face Bolton.

“Craig has recovered from the strain, he’s trained this week and the plan is for him to go straight back into the side,” Bruce said.

“I’ve made it clear that he is my number one goalkeeper and when he is fit and in form, he plays. Simon knows the situation and he accepts it.”