“And because it was already a young squad, the players who were already here are better for last season’s experience in the Premier League.
“I am so happy to be back and be a part of it because I love the idea that the club is going forward the way that it is.”
Despite not featuring in a match since the Black Stars’ World Cup quarter-final defeat to Uruguay in Johannesburg, the 27-year-old played his first full 90 minutes for Sunderland on Saturday.
Mensah’s injury problems have been such that he needed his own physio in South Africa, who he hopes will link up with him on Wearside in a bid to improve on last season, which saw him play just 17 games for Sunderland.
“We are looking to reach an arrangement where he will still be involved in my health and fitness, though the physio’s team at Sunderland will be taking care of me too and I appreciate the work they do with me,’’ he said.
“I was feeling tired towards the end of the game, but that is only natural because I have played no football really since the end of the World Cup.
“But I’m looking forward to playing more games for Sunderland this season and helping them progress.”
Sunderland on Saturday appeared no nearer to the departures of George McCartney and Anton Ferdinand to Birmingham and either Palermo or Fiorentina respectively, while Bruce has continued to be linked with Mensah’s Ghana team-mate Asamoah Gyan.
