Poyet backs Fletcher to perform rescue act

SuNDERLAND manager Gus Poyet is backing Scotland striker Steven Fletcher to fire the club out of relegation trouble.

The 26-year-old former Hibs forward claimed just his third goal of the season to inspire a late fightback at Cardiff on Saturday evening as the Black Cats claimed a 2-2 draw to go with their Boxing Day victory at Everton and boost their hopes of escaping the drop from the Barclays Premier League. Speculation has suggested that Fletcher, a £12million signing from Wolves during the summer of 2012, could be a target for potential purchasers when the winter transfer window opens tomorrow, but Poyet is planning to have him at the pinnacle of his team.

He said: “Fletch is key, he is a key player for us and we need to make sure that we give him more chances. He had one only against Everton and he couldn’t score, but then he had one (against Cardiff) and somehow – I don’t know how, still, he stretched himself to score the goal – so we need to put him in there many, many times so that he will score plenty of goals.”

As far as Fletcher leaving Wearside is concerned, Poyet insisted there has been no formal approach for him, or indeed any other player, as yet.

He said: “We haven’t had any offers for any players. If somebody wants any player from the club, playing or not playing, the only thing they need to do is make an offer because there is no way that we are going to be talking about individuals. It’s just waiting.”