Ghana defender John Mensah has again declared he hopes to stay with Sunderland.

The Black Cats will open talks with Lyon after the World Cup about a possible pay-as-you-play deal.

"I swear that when I went to Sunderland, I did my best," Mensah told The Journal. "I worked hard and I played my heart out for the team - the Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has a good relationship with me because he knows the work I do.

"He asked me to stay for next season for them in Sunderland. It depends on Lyon, but I trust that Sunderland want me to stay. I also hope to play for them again.

"Sunderland make me happy. They make it possible to stay happy there as a footballer. They just helped me to understand that when I am injured I should still stay happy.

"When I am injured, I am not so happy at all. My head is down and I think, 'Why does this happen to me?'

"They told me that I shouldn't keep my head down, I should keep it up, enjoy myself and when I come back to feel my confidence."