BOLO ZENDEN is ready to commit to another year at the Stadium of Light, but has urged Sunderland manager Steve Bruce to use him more next season.

Having played in more than half of the matches since he joined the club in October when his contract with Marseille expired, he has triggered a 12-month extension clause in his existing deal.

But before both parties finalise the terms, Zenden has been looking for assurances about his role next season.

The Dutchman, 34 in August, has enjoyed his time on Wearside, but has only started once in the Premier League since his arrival.

He has figured in 19 matches as a substitute and started the defeat at Portsmouth in the FA Cup, but hopes to play a more crucial part in Bruce’s plans during the 2010-11 campaign.

“It is a matter of finishing certain things off and maybe talking to the manager,” said Zenden.

“For me it is about getting more minutes. It’s hard coming on for ten minutes and making an impact. I wish I had a bit more time this season to show what I can do.

“It is still a little bit in the balance that I’ll be coming back. Then again the chairman, Niall Quinn, has got good ideas and I think looking at the quality we have we can have a good season and it’s something I’d like to be part of. ”

Sunderland have already made their first signing of the summer after agreeing terms with Paraguay international midfielder Cristian Riveros.

The deals are unlikely to stop there, with Bruce intending to bring in at least five or six new faces while he could lose 11 members of his first team squad this summer.

John Mensah and Alan Hutton are two he would like to stay after successful loan spells, but there has been no progress made. Lyon and Tottenham, respectively, are still hoping to receive more than Sunderland are looking to offer.

But Zenden is satisfied Bruce will make the necessary adjustments to a squad that were close to reaching their pre-season target of finishing in the Premier League’s top ten.

“The club is definitely moving forward. It was a disappointing way to finish but there are things in place,” he said. “Finishing 13th this year was just about right, looking at it now there is something to build on.

“We have plenty of quality in the team and we should be looking to do that.”

Sunderland will have to plan without having Michael Turner available for the first two matches of next season.

Turner faces an extra onegame suspension for picking up a red card at Wolves on Sunday, which was his second sending off of the campaign.

■ Sunderland will travel to Darlington for a pre-season friendly at The Northern Echo Arena on July 17.

■ Former Sunderland defender Michael Gray has announced his retirement after being released by Sheffield Wednesday.