Another forgotten man back from the dead is Steven Fletcher, and the big Scot could turn out to be like a new signing for the Black Cats with a full pre-season under his belt and a massive point to prove on Wearside. People tend to forget that the 27 year old commanded a transfer fee of £12mn, and that his arrival in the North East saw him find the net five times in his first five games in 2012/2013, as Fletcher started to prove to his new adoring fans that he scores when he wants. Despite a lull in goalscoring, the former Wolves man still ended the season with a credible eleven goals, but injury on international duty with Scotland in March 2013 curtailed the strikers season, and he has struggled to recover from the serious ankle ligament damage sustained that evening. Missing the full pre-season in 2014, Fletcher returned to notch against Crystal Palace and Newcastle at the beginning of last year, but the big man clearly wasnt fully fit. Wheeled out at Wembley before missing a legend making chance in the dying minutes against Man City, Fletcher appeared just twice more before bowing out for season in March. This season however, Fletcher is back. Despite question marks over his lifestyle and fitness, the striker has looked sharp and lean, notching twice against Darlington and looking as though he could be our main man in the upcoming season. The added competition of a new born Connor Wickham can only be a positive, and this year could be the one where Fletcher answers his critics in the best way possible, with goals. How do you think Sunderland's pre-season is going so far? Share your thoughts in the comments thread below.
