<<Print>>

Deputy Black Stars captain John Mensah will be handed his first start for Sunderland in the Carling Cup game against Birmingham City on Tuesday. The Ghana centre-back has made one substitute appearance for Sunderland since joining on loan from Olympique Lyon, but will get the chance to impress Steve Bruce from the off at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday alongside another new signing Paolo da Silva. �They have been chomping at the bit to be involved and they�ll get their chance at the Stadium of Light tomorrow,� Bruce said. �In a way, their season starts here, this is their chance to start making an impression.�