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Bruce keen to keep loanees

Image: Onuoha: Deal agreed

Steve Bruce is hoping Sunderland can wrap up permanent deals for their collection of loan stars.

Cats boss impressed by players as he looks to retain stars

Steve Bruce is hoping Sunderland can wrap up permanent deals for their collection of loan stars. The Black Cats have enjoyed considerable success in that market this season, with five players drafted in on short-term deals. Of those, Ahmed Elmohamady has already agreed terms to keep him at the Stadium of Light. Bruce is delighted to have completed that particular piece of business, but hopes he will be overseeing the signing of many more contracts in the summer. With Danny Welbeck, Nedum Onuoha, Sully Muntari and John Mensah not yet tied to Sunderland past the end of the season, securing their respective signatures has become a priority. Bruce said in the Daily Express: "We've five players on loan and they have all done well, so my immediate priority is can we secure all of them? "The big doubt for me is Welbeck and we have to be respectful to [Manchester] United. We will ask the question.

Contribution

"It's a double-edged sword because the better he does for us, the more he improves, the more likely he is to go back. "Nedum Onuoha is a bright boy, a good defender, great to have around and has made a huge contribution. "Muntari is desperate to stay here. He had easily his best game for us at Arsenal last Saturday week and he is getting fitter. He hadn't played for about six months at Inter Milan, but he is the type of midfielder that I've been wanting. "The deal is in place, but can we satisfy his wage demands because the kid has taken a hell of a pay drop to come here? We'll do our utmost. "John Mensah has been unfortunate because he has had injuries. He has dislocated his ankle and twisted his shoulder. With John we'll see where we are at the end of the season."

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