Ghana international John Mensah has received massive endorsement from Sunderland boss, Steve Bruce as he hopes to make his loan move permanent.
The defender has struggled with injuries but a run of fine performances recently has underlined his huge billing.
Despite injuries taking a better part of his loan from Lyon, Mensah who is rarely able to train with his team-mates due to injuries has been described as a 'top-class act'.
"He is a top, top-class act, the kid," Bruce said.
"You just have to watch him once or twice. How he does it week in, week out is beyond me.
"You have to be an exceptionally talented footballer to do what he does because he only trains on a Friday.
"The rest of the time it is bikes and pools and massages and just nursing him through from one week to the next.
"But he is such a good natural athlete that he gets away with it."
Mensah continues to demonstrate his worth when fit as he seeks to re-pay the faith of Bruce.
"I would like to stay here. I am happy and glad. My colleagues make me happy," the Ghana defender said.
"I have worked very hard with the physios here and I believe I am back now, fit and ready. It has been hard, getting as fit as I can for games without doing much training with the ball.
"Back in France I used to have a lot of injuries but the physios are working hard on keeping me fit and everyone, the players and management, are all keeping me very happy, which is the main thing.
"I am enjoying it at Sunderland. My dad and my brother were here for the City game and that is the first time my family have come here to watch a game.
"I am very happy and I tried to show my mum and dad how well their son is playing. Unfortunately we lost the lead and I am not too happy about that but in the next game we will deliver."
