Chris Coleman has been pouring praise on Ashley Fletcher after the on-loan forward finally broke his duck this weekend.

Fletcher scored the second of Sunderland's four goals against Derby County, his first strike since joining on loan from Middlesbrough in January.

Coleman claims the youngster is improving after a tough start to his Black Cats career.

“I have seen a difference,” Coleman told the Chronicle Live.

“He looks fitter, he is winning more duels, winning more battles and he has a spring in his step. He could have had a hat-trick against Derby County."

Fletcher, who joined Middlesbrough from West Ham for £6.5m in the summer, did miss two good chances to extend his tally. Coleman points to luck, rather than ability as a key factor is his drought.

"I thought he was unlucky against Sheffield Wednesday, the referee gave a free-kick against him for heading the ball in the first half; he jumped and headed the ball and the keeper ran into him and he gave a free-kick – I’ve never seen that before! He has been brave, Ash, and has looked better.”

Sunderland are currently eight points adrift of safety in League One, with six games remaining.

The Verdict

Coleman is trying to build the youngster's confidence ahead of a crucial six games, but the harsh truth is that it will be too little, too late.

Given a choice, Coleman would probably have still had Lewis Grabban up top, but instead he was the loser in the January shuffle and it's cost his side their Championship spot.