STEVEN FLETCHER had a big role to play in Danny Graham’s move from Wearside, and hopes to have his own significant part when Sunderland return to Premier League action this weekend.

Graham’s move to Wolves for the rest of the year arrived after the Gateshead-born striker recommended Molineux as a good destination to try to revive a career which has stalled at the Stadium of Light.

The 29-year-old’s departure was granted on Friday, hours before Fletcher suffered an ankle problem playing for Scotland against the Republic of Ireland. Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has been left short of attacking options ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Leicester City.

Fletcher will not play tonight against England because of his injury, but he has not ruled out appearing against the Foxes and will be assessed on Wearside over the next few days.

“I have no chance of making the England game,” said Fletcher. “I just hope I can be back for the Sunderland game at the weekend but even then I need to see what the extent of the injury is. Hopefully it won’t be too bad. I went to get a scan on Saturday so I am just waiting for the results.”

Fletcher has previously been troubled with ankle problems so he hoping for a quick recovery after finally returning to form after a frustrating year at Sunderland.

The 27-year-old has found the net four times at club level this season, but Poyet is now weighing up his options to the lead line at the King Power Stadium this weekend.

Connor Wickham is the likeliest candidate to get the nod ahead of Jozy Altidore, but until a new forward is targeted in the January transfer window options to lead the line are limited.

Graham acted on Wolves’ interest after months of dismissing opportunities to join a number of other clubs, the former Middlesbrough and Watford agreeing to the short-term switch.

Graham has revealed how Fletcher played a part in the deal, having spent two years at Molineux before he moved to Sunderland in a £12m deal in August 2012.

“I spoke to Fletcher about a couple of players that are still here and he spoke highly of them and highly of the club so that helped,” said Graham. “That was nice to know from someone I’m close to at Sunderland. He gave me a little push in the right direction. I don’t know the players but that doesn’t bother me. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone.”

After failing at Sunderland, from where he has had loan spells with Hull and Boro, Graham thinks he can prove that he can still score goals after a difficult time following his £5m switch from Swansea in January 2013.

“I just want to be playing football,” said Graham. “I’ve got the hunger to do well and hopefully that will be the case. I had a good end to the season with Middlesbrough last time out so confidence is high. It’s a fresh start for me to get out, get some game time and hopefully get some goals.

“I’m ready to go. My match sharpness is there. I’ll look to get a good week’s training in and hopefully we can get a good result against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.”

Sunderland, meanwhile, have been fined £20,000 after admitting a FA misconduct charge for their behaviour in the draw with Everton on November 9.

The Black Cats were charged for failing to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion in the 76th minute of the game when Wickham was adjudged to have fouled Seamus Coleman in the box.