Steve Bruce set to unleash 'the beast' against Wolves

Steve Bruce is ready to set the “beast” on Wolves.

And the Sunderland boss warned that John Mensah will unleash hell on Mick McCarthy’s men – because he has already left his mark on his dazed team-mates.

No-nonsense defender Mensah is set for his first Premier League start in place of Anton Ferdinand after being given the nod by a hugely impressed Bruce, who admitted: “He’s a physical beast of a man.”

The hulking Ghana international has literally made a mark on his Black Cats pals since arriving on a season’s loan from French club Lyon, which the Wearsiders hope to make permanent next summer.

Bruce loves Mensah’s no-prisoners approach, which helped Sunderland keep a clean sheet as they dumped Birmingham out of the Carling Cup in the centre-back’s first appearance at the Stadium of Light.

It’s a style Mensah takes onto the training ground, but the manager refuses to issue a “cool it” plea to the tough-tackling 26-year-old.

Bruce said: “He’s so strong and powerful and he’s come in and done exactly what I wanted him to do when he walked through the door.

“It’s the way he plays and it’s the way he trains.

“In fact, I’ve told him to go and kick a few of them in training!

“Daryl Murphy ran into him the other day and just bounced off him. He’s just got that physical capability about him.”

Sunderland team-mate Fraizer Campbell has felt Mensah’s full force in training. And the England under-21 striker is looking forward to being on the same side as the African when McCarthy returns to the Stadium of Light with newly-promoted Wolves.

Campbell said: “Players do seem to bounce off John in training.

“He is a bit of a solid bloke and has been real quality since he arrived. He’s not afraid to put his foot in and he’s the same in training as he is in a match.”

With Mensah prominent, Ghana were one of the first countries to qualify for next year’s World Cup finals.

And boasting the likes of Chelsea’s Michael Essien, Fulham defender John Pantsil and former Portsmouth midfielder Sully Muntari, Bruce is keeping his fingers crossed that England steer clear of the Black Stars in South Africa.

Bruce – who is also set to hand a full Premier League debut to Paraguay skipper Paulo da Silva – added: “I have to say that whoever faces Ghana, they’ll have to deal with 11 John Mensahs.

“They’re all like him, because they’re strong, powerful and quick and that will make them a tough team to face.

“I really hope England don’t come up against them because I’ve seen them a few times, and believe me, they’re a decent team.”