THE FRENCH REVELATION

Stoke hitman Fletcher finds scoring touch thanks to his valuable stay in Marseille

The Scotland forward scored his first Stoke goal since arriving from S h ef f i el d Wedn e sd ay in the summer in a win that was wrapped up by Nick Powell’s second.

The Potters are the 33-year-old’s sixth permanent club in a career now in its 18th season.

But it was a loan sp ell at Marseille in 2016 when he was at Sunderland that he credits with helping him become more than just a battering ram up front.

He said: “I changed my game in France. I was used to people saying I was a target man who chased his own flick-ons, but there I got used to actually playing football.

“I played in a different position, in a No.10 role off Michy Batshuayi. He played as a No.9 and I dropped in the hole, which I wasn’t used to.

“Then Scotland boss Gordon Strachan tried to play me in that position but it never worked.”

Fletcher’s role in a flexible front three in between Powell and Tyrese Campbell worked at Luton though.

Campbell’s cross after half-time allowed Fletcher to peel off and nod home, then Powell took advantage of the Luton’s failure to clear a corner to ram in the second nine minutes later (bottom right, and celebrating bottom left).

Luton could find no way past Potters goalkeeper Adam Davies who, like Powell, was signed by Nathan

Jones during his ill-fated spell as Stoke manager in 2019.

One Hatter denied by

Davies was midfielder

Joe Morrell, who arrived at Kenilworth Road last week because a lack of game time at Bristol City was hurting his Wales ambitions.

Morrell, said: “With Wales in the Euros I want to be involved. I’ve got a good relationship with Ryan Giggs and he gives people opportunities. That’s all I can ask for.”

GOING POTTY Fletcher celebrates his goal; (above) Simon Sluga with a header