Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says John Mensah will have to sit out of football for up to a full year in order to cure his chronic injury problems-and even that won't guarantee a full recovery. Mensah is on loan at Sunderland but has spent more time in the treatment room than on the field. Now Bruce claims they have figured out the problem with Mensah and that it will take at least a whole year to sort out. "We all know he is a fantastic footballer when he is fit, but he has a serious problem which we've diagnosed," Sunderland coach Steve Bruce said. "That causes problems in the nerves and injuries in his hamstrings and calves. "To solve the problem he needs an operation and it's 12 months out. "Even after that, it isn't certain it will work. It's the spinal canal, which is way above my head, but it's not as big as it should be." Any operation Mensah undergoes will most certainly be after the world cup where he is likely to be a key member of Ghana's squad that will compete in a group alongside Germany, Australia and Serbia. Source: Kickoff.com