SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce admits he faces a difficult decision as he ponders whether to make a permanent move for John Mensah this summer.

Mensah, who is currently in his second loan spell at the Stadium of Light, is likely to be offered a permanent transfer from French club Lyon once the transfer window reopens in June.

When he has played, the Ghana international has been one of Sunderland's most impressive players this season, but for the second year in a row, a dreadful injury record has restricted him to a handful of appearances.

This month's back-to-back starts against Stoke and Tottenham were only his seventh and eighth of the season, a tally that hardly justifies a significant outlay in the summer.

Last year, Lyon were asking for around £10m for the 28-year-old, and unless the Ligue One club soften their stance, Bruce admits he will have to make a tough choice come the close season.

"We have a decision to make on John at some stage and I can tell you right now, it's not going to be an easy one," said the Sunderland manager.

"He's one of the best defenders I've ever seen when he's fit, but he's often not and you have to decide on where the balance stands in terms of the club getting value for money."

Bruce must also decide to whether to take up an option to turn Ahmed Elmohamady's loan move from Egyptian side ENPPI into a permanent transfer.

The winger has been an integral part of Sunderland's first-team squad, starting 18 of the club's 27 Premier League games, and with the terms of a permanent deal already having been agreed last summer, it is expected he will complete a full-time move to Wearside at the end of the current campaign.

"We will look to get the deal done at the right time," said Bruce. "He is tied down to us contractually so there is no one else who can take him off us.

"We are very happy with the way he has played and we are happy to have him on board. I did not expect him to make the impact he has because he was still so young when we brought him over."

* Sunderland midfielder Adam Reed has joined League One side Brentford on a month-long loan deal.

The 19 year-old was a regular in Sunderland's reserves side last season, clocking up 19 appearances in all competitions.

The Hartlepool-born player arrives at Griffin Park ahead of tonight's game with Tranmere Rovers, who boast fellow Sunderland loanees Robbie Weir and Michael Kay in their ranks.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Trevor Carson is close to agreeing a new deal that will extend his loan at League Two side Lincoln City until April 23.