Sunderland defender John Mensah insists his injury woes are behind him.

Mensah has a withered spinal canal that causes minor hamstring and muscle problems, but proved during the World Cup that if it is managed correctly he can still play regularly.

His specially-devised training programme at Sunderland mostly consists of gym work and swimming, with his participation in first-team training sessions carefully managed.

"By the grace of God I am fine now," Mensah told The Journal. "It was a different injury from those I was getting last year and I just had to accept it. Injuries like that are part of football.

"I will not be troubled by my old problems because I am getting special treatment at Sunderland, just like I had during the World Cup.

"I am confident I will play every match for the rest of the season now - honestly.

"I don't know the coach's mind, if he wants me to play every game, but I hope to play every match now.

"I think we have found a solution now."