Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has claimed that it is important for the club to not put too much pressure on Steven Fletcher.

The striker has scored two goals in eight appearances for the Black Cats this season after recovering from ankle and shoulder injuries.

Poyet is now keen for Fletcher to return to full fitness and regain his form in attack.

"We have to remember that he was out for a long time, came back, got injured again and is only now coming back once more," the Sunderland Echo quotes him as saying.

"It is unfair to put too much pressure on him too soon - it is only a matter of time before he starts scoring regularly for us if he stays injury-free."

Sunderland return to Premier League action on Saturday when they travel to fellow strugglers Stoke City.