Mensah has missed the first two weeks of the new campaign thanks to a hamstring problem he picked up in the opening day draw against Birmingham. But the Ghana stopper made a successful return to training on Tuesday and he is now targeting a place in manager Steve Bruce's starting line-up. Mensah's time at the Black Cats has been dogged by fitness problems and he has already missed three games of the 2010/11 season against West Brom, Colchester and Manchester City. The 27-year-old is looking to get back into the mix, though, and wants to feature in the weekend trip to Wigan. "I am feeling good and I am ready to play against Wigan," Mensah told the club's official website. Bruce was less enthused about the pace of Mensah's return, warning the player he will only feature if he proves himself in training in the build-up to the clash. Mensah's comeback means Bruce has a four-way battle for two centre-back slots to contend with, as the Ghana captain, Anton Ferdinand, Titus Bramble and Paulo da Silva all vie for starting spots. Bruce, who is still missing injured defender Michael Turner, said: "John will only be in contention if he trains consistently this week."
