Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has praised the performance of striker Steven Fletcher following their victory over Reading on Tuesday.

The Scotland international netted the second goal in the Black Cats' 3-0 win over the Royals at the Stadium of Light to move them out of the bottom three.

Fletcher was a doubt heading into the match with an ankle injury, and O'Neill is delighted by the quick recovery of the forward.

"Fletcher had done absolutely no work whatsoever. When you were talking to me yesterday, I genuinely wasn't sure that he could play in the game," said O'Neill. "He came out this morning just to do a bit of a loosener and thought he wanted to give it a go.

"I personally thought if he could see it to half time and just slightly into the second half, he would do great for us.

"He has been terrific for us, really terrific. You just feel that he is likely to get you a goal in there."

Fletcher has scored seven goals for Sunderland since arriving in the summer.