Cana praises Mensah as defender completes medical

Lorik Cana has already heaped praise on Ghanian international John Mensah as the defender completed a medical ahead of a proposed loan move to Sunderland.

Mensah looks set to move from Lyon to the Stadium of Light for the season with Sunderland holding a £7m option to sign the player next summer.

With Sunderland lacking depth at the back, Cana believes that the 26-year-old would be a good fit in the Premier League. He said: "He is a player I know well. I`ve played against him a number of times in the past, and he is someone who has always impressed me when he has been on the other team. He is a very good player who plays in the best team in France, so that has to say something.

"He did not play in all of Lyon`s matches last season, but I don`t think people should read too much into that. Lyon are like the Chelsea or the Manchester United of France, and very few players play every game at those clubs.

"He is a good player and I think he can really help us. He is tall, but he is also quick and strong. I think he has all of the qualities you need to be a successful defender in the Premier League."

One would suspect that Mensah would replace Danny Collins in the centre of the Black Cats defence, despite Collins captaining the side so far this season.

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