NEDUM ONUOHA has realised the full extent of Sunderland’s ambition during his season-long loan and would not swap the last nine months for anything – not even an FA Cup winner’s medal.

Onuoha returns to Manchester City, who defeated Stoke City at Wembley on Saturday to end a 35-year wait for silverware, after next Sunday’s final fixture at West Ham unclear and undecided about what his own future holds.

But even if he heads back to his employers and becomes a regular fixture in Roberto Mancini’s first-team plans as they plot a charge in the Champions League, the likeable defender has loved his time on Wearside.

Despite his last match at the Stadium of Light ending in defeat to Wolves, Onuoha even went as far as to suggest that playing a key role for Steve Bruce has been more important for him than being involved in the FA Cup final.

Onuoha said: “I wanted City to do well in the Cup final, of course I did. It was ironic that the moment I leave they achieve something. But the way I feel now I would not trade it for the season I have had.”

Given the circumstances, Onuoha could not offer much on where he will be playing next season because even he is not sure what will be happening.

His performances are likely to have made City even more determined to recoup the £8m asking price they had demanded last summer.

And the 24-year-old says he “can’t sign for anyone” or know his “future plans” until he has his “head right” and decides what he wants to do.

Regardless of what happens in the coming months, though, Onuoha has been notably impressed by the direction he feels Sunderland are heading in, even if injuries have prevented a more sustained push for a top-six place.

“It is a club that is quietly ambitious and their ambitions can be met with hard work and determination,”

said Onuoha. “Everyone, from the cleaning ladies to the players, have shown that. It is a fantastic club.

“It’s good for Sunderland that they are one club in a city.

I’m sure they can attract some decent players. They are just a small step away from drawing level with teams like Everton.

“Everton don’t have a lot of money, but they have the players and the foundation to be successful. They are just more consistent than Sunderland. I would not say teams like that are miles better than us, but on a weekly basis throughout the season you will find they are more consistent.”

Onuoha will play the last game of his loan at West Ham United next Sunday and would have liked his final home date, Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Wolves, to have gone more to plan.

“I remember when I first came here and we played Birmingham City, I had not played here before that and it was fantastic,” said the former England Under-21 international.

“There is a young bunch of people here and they are all very good people as well. You could see that right the way through from from the players to the backroom staff. Everyone at the club has been really welcoming to me.

“It has been fantastic to walk in every day with a smile on my face. I really have enjoyed myself here.”

One player who could have played himself out of a summer move to Sunderland is John Mensah. He was at fault for Steven Fletcher’s goal on Saturday, while he was also guilty of a few other errors.

And Bruce was unhappy at the way the Ghanaian went straight down the tunnel after being substituted, quickly getting suited and disappearing soon after the match.

Bruce said: “John has a good right to be disappointed as I was disappointed in his second-half performance. He is understandably upset and didn’t want to come off.

“We will deal with it. He has total disappointment in himself which happens in the heat of the moment. He has let himself down badly. He is a highly reputable man.”