Cana admits Zenden shock

Zenden: Cana delight

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Sunderland midfielder Lorik Cana has admitted he was surprised to see former Marseille team-mate Bolo Zenden arrive in the North East.

The ex-Chelsea and Liverpool man impressed Black Cats boss Steve Bruce during a 10-day trial spell and secured a deal to the end of the season with the option of a further 12 months.

Stadium of Light skipper Cana could now be set to renew his midfield partnership with Zenden as combative summer signing Lee Cattermole is facing three months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

And the Albania captain revealed his delight at learning the former Holland international would be joining him on Wearside after their time together in the South of France.

"I played with Bolo for two years at Marseille and I was surprised to see him arrive at Sunderland," he told The Journal.

Wow factor

"It is good for us. He is a fantastic player with great experience and he will help us a lot. The manager said, 'Bolo is coming here to train with us next week,' and I said 'Wow!'

"I had a good relationship with him at Marseille, so I am really happy he is here. He will be an important player for us, he is a club player.

"The manager asked me about Bolo. He asked if he would be fit and I said you can never know after being out for three months, but I could tell him what he was like as a player and a man.

"The manager knew about him from when he played in England."

Aggressive

Cana has proved to be an instant hit on Wearside with his tough-tackling and committed approach to the game appreciated by the supporters.

The midfielder has no plans to reduce the aggressive edge to his game, even though he is on the brink of a one-match suspension after being booked four times in his opening 10 games.

Cana added: "I am not the first player to be on four yellow cards, I will not change my game. I don't care, it is not something important."