Sunderland close to defender John Mensah loan return

Sunderland are close to a deal for Lyon centre-half John Mensah on a season-long loan, subject to a work permit.

The 27-year-old impressed boss Steve Bruce during last season's loan spell, although calf and back injuries restricted him to only 17 games.

"He's now in Paris picking up his visa, it's not signed but we're virtually there," Bruce told BBC Newcastle.

"He's such a good player that anyone who saw him here last year will know why I wanted him back."

Bruce added: "He was the outstanding defender at the World Cup, and when he was here last year we were a better team with him in it."

The defender captained Ghana at the 2010 World Cup, making four appearances as the African nation reached the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, defender Matt Kilgallon is expected to join Middlesbrough on loan.

Kilgallon joined Sunderland from Sheffield United on a three-year deal in January, but has made just seven appearances in that time.

However Bruce is adamant the deal is just a temporary measure for the York-born centre-back.

"We're in talks with Middlesbrough as we speak, I expect to talk to [Middlesbrough manager] Gordon Strachan later on today, so that could be something," Bruce continued.

"I don't want him to go permanently, it'll probably be a loan deal."