Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits settling his defensive signing John Mensah will be priority this summer.

With the first-choice defender on loan, that will be the focus of his transfer planning.

But Mensah's injury situation has complicated negotiations to keep the Ghana international on permanent basis.

While Lyon are believed to be bargaining for a price around £10m, Sunderland are keen to pay a lower sum and also help the tough defender undergo surgery on his spine.

“The first thing we set about was pre-season,” said Bruce, who described talk of a move for Udinese winger Simone Pepe as “absolute rubbish”.

“Our club secretary and lawyers are trying to set things in motion. I can't envisage a summer like last summer where we brought in seven players and 15 went. but you never know.

“We'll look at the market, see what's there and if we can improve.

“I still think we have to look at ourselves defensively. That is an area where we are hoping to improve.

“The ongoing problems with John Mensah (Sunderland) are a big problem, he's on loan.

“They are two issues we have to address – they're the most important ones we will look at to start with.”