Sunderland given huge boost as Steven Fletcher could return against Swansea

New Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is likely to be boosted by the return to fitness of striker Steven Fletcher ahead of his first game in charge this weekend. The Black Cats take on Swansea Cityat the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, and Poyet told the Sunderland Echo of his admiration for his opponents’ achievements, and how important Fletcher’s fitness is to his side.

There is a big possibility [of Fletcher being fit],” said the Uruguayan. “It’s some of the very good news from this week.

“Every player is important but we know in football that there [are] a few positions that are key; the goalkeeper, the spine of the team and the main man up front scoring goals.

“We need goals; we need players who have got the ability and Fletcher is one of those players.”

Of his opponents this week, Poyet continued; “I think they had the perfect approach. The club is balanced. They’ve changed manager but they’ve tried to maintain that philosophy. That a big advantage for any manager who goes there.”

“What a difference with Swansea as a club now. There’s a team who have been playing five or six years in the same way and they’re slowly getting better and better.”

“It’s a big contrast – we have a few problems, we have changed manager and we have got a new group of players. But at 3pm its 11v11, one referee, two linesmen and it’s all about what you do in those two hours.

Sunderland sit rock bottom of the Premier League, but denied suggestions that he would settle for a point. “We will go there to win. We need to win football games. We cannot go to places looking to get just one point.”