Fletcher undergoes surgery on injured ankle

Striker Steven Fletcher has undergone surgery on the ankle he injured during Scotland’s 2-1 defeat by Wales last month.

Fletcher, 26, was withdrawn after just a few minutes of Scotland’s World Cup 2014 qualifying defeat by Wales and declared out for the remainder of the season shortly after.

On Monday the former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker underwent surgery on his ankle and whilst no offical timescale for his recovery has been set, it is hoped he will be fit to begin the new campaign in August.

Surgery had been hoped to be a last resort, with rest and recuperation the initial plan.

Still the Black Cat’s top-scorer with 11 Premier League goals, despite missing the last three games, Fletcher has been greatly missed up front since sustaining the ankle problem.