Faithful will Love new boy Ashley
ASHLEY Fletcher can score the goals which will power Sunderland to safety, according to his former Manchester United youth team-mate Donald Love.
Fletcher, who moved to Middlesbrough last summer after a year at West Ham, was one of three deadline-day loan additions to the Black Cats squad and made his debut in last weekend’s home defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town.
The 22-year-old striker arrived to give Sunderland much-needed firepower, the departures of Lewis Grabban and James Vaughan last month having left Chris Coleman reliant on inexperienced teenagers Joel Asoro and Josh Maja.
Fletcher comes with an endorsement from Love, the pair having come through the highlyrespected youth set-up at Old Trafford together - playing at youth level and also for the Red Devils’ Under 23s.
Love said: “You could see the quality they have brought, the new signings.
“I know Ashley from Manchester United and he will be a good addition up front.
“Josh and Joel are good but Ash will add presence, along with Kazenga (LuaLua, who also joined Sunderland last month).
“He is a year younger than me, we were in the same youth team and reserves.
“I did not speak to him before he signed on loan because it was last minute but I spoke to him on his first day in training and he is buzzing to be here, to be playing.
“He has a good presence about him, he is a good striker and for a big man is good with his feet.
“He brings people into play and that is what we need, someone who can hold it up.
“He is a good finisher and will get goals for us.
“Ashley has not played a lot for Middlesbrough so hopefully the Ipswich game will have helped boost the fitness of him and the other new players ahead of this weekend.”
Cardiff City goalkeeper Lee Camp and Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria signed the same day as Fletcher and also made their debuts against Ipswich and Love believes they will also help Sunderland climb out of danger.