Return of Mensah 'the Rock'

Mensah will play for Sunderland

English Premier League side Sunderland will turn to the 'Rock of Gibraltar' this weekend to cover for suspended centre-half Michael Turner.

  Ghanaian captain John Mensah, who earned the nickname in his home country because of his defensive solidity, has been in a race all week to get fully fit for the visit of second-placed Arsenal on Saturday.

And if the on-loan African comes through the last of a series of rigorous fitness tests over the next 24 hours, he is poised to go straight back into the first team.

Mensah's blighted injury record this season has been a major disappointment for manager Steve Bruce, who would have loved to have paired the Ghana skipper alongside Turner.

Instead, one is set to take the place of the other this weekend, as Mensah bids to build on a record of just two starts and one substitute's appearance so far.

And the Sunderland manager hopes the loss of the influential Turner could be offset by the return of Mensah if he's declared available.

He said: "John's resumed full training after what has been a really frustrating time for him where he has been there or thereabouts for several weeks in terms of full fitness, only to keep picking up one niggling injury after another.

"But he resumed full training this week and it's just a case now of seeing how he comes through.

"I know he's been out for a while but if he's fit I'll have no qualms about playing him because he's one of those players who are in naturally great condition and who are never far away from being fit enough.

"He's a natural athlete and if he comes through this week alright he'll come into the reckoning."

As well as Michael Turner being suspended, there's a slight doubt over George McCartney, who returned from international duty with Northern Ireland with a leg injury.

But the Irishman is expected to be available, as are Phil Bardsley, Paulo Da Silva, Anton Ferdinand and Nyron Nosworthy.

Bruce said: "Losing Michael will be a big miss but I do have options.

"It's possible Mensah could be back, I thought Paulo Da Silva had his best game for us against Spurs – which is understandble, given he was played in his preferred position of centre half, and then there are other players who have been knocking on the door.

"It's not as though I am short on bodies for this game but what I do need is for everyone to be on their game for this match in particular.

"We all know what a dangerous side Arsenal are on the attack and this is a game for defenders to be at their best."