MX23RW : Monday, February 3 03:53:44| >> :120:26522:26522:

Steven Fletcher to delay summer break in attempt to reach full fitness

Gus Poyet confirms that Steven Fletcher will delay his summer break to make sure he is fit enough for pre-season with Sunderland.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has confirmed that Steven Fletcher will delay his summer break in an attempt to make further progress in his battle with an ankle injury.

Fletcher struggled with injuries throughout the season, and it was an ankle problem which kept him out of the final stages of the campaign as the Black Cats managed to avoid relegation.

Due to his inability to return in time to help Sunderland's successful bid to climb out of the bottom three, Fletcher will now do extra work with the club's staff to ensure that he will be ready for pre-season.

"He's doing well, but, before he goes on holiday, he needs a minimum of two weeks training every day," Poyet told the Hartlepool Mail.

"He doesn't have to do it all with us – he can do a lot of it on his own.

"But it will be a few weeks before he can go away, when he's fully recovered."

Fletcher was restricted to just 13 starts for Sunderland this season.

ID:155335: cacheID:155335:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1833:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jose Mourinho manager of Chelsea looks on prior to during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on March 1, 2014
Read Next:
Preview: Chelsea vs. Sunderland
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds30189360194163
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd30196541212061
3Burnley30151323692758
4Sunderland291510442241855
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn30136113429545
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom301014639271244
7Middlesbrough29128947361144
8Norwich CityNorwich30119104942742
9Bristol City30101283835342
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds30119104346-342
11Coventry CityCoventry30118114138341
12Watford30125134042-241
13Millwall301010103027340
14Queens Park RangersQPR30911103339-638
15Preston North EndPreston3081393338-537
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd30910113444-1037
17Swansea CitySwansea3097143242-1034
18Stoke CityStoke30711122837-932
19Cardiff CityCardiff30710133351-1831
20Portsmouth3079143652-1630
21Hull City3078153140-929
22Derby CountyDerby3076173241-927
23Luton TownLuton3076173049-1927
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth30510152963-3425


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!