Mensah returns from latest lay-off

Ghana defender John Mensah came through 90 minutes unscathed after his latest spell on the sidelines at Sunderland through injury.

The defensive rock whose Nations Cup hopes were rocked by a hamstring injury in Sunderland's 1-1 draw against Everton at the end of December was back in the premiership, coming through 90 minutes in his side's 0-2 loss to Everton at Goodison Park.

Mensah is on loan at Sunderland and while he has looked solid when he has played, he has had to spend a great deal on the sidelines with one injury or the other.

Now Sunderland hope with the club in free fall after a string of bad results, Mensah can stay on his feet and play his part as Steve Bruce's men look to avoid relegation.

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac will also be monitoring the defender's situation because even though Ghana has reached the semi finals of the Nations Cup without their defensive mainstay, they have looked vulnerable in the center in his absence.