Garry Monk has given a positive injury update on Steven Fletcher, revealing the 32-year-old is “doing fantastic” with his rehabilitation. Fletcher has been out of action with a knee injury since New Year’s Day, causing him to miss six games in all competitions.
The Scotland international has made 24 appearances this season, scoring and creating 14 goals. His last outing came in Sheffield Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Hull City (January 1). The Owls have picked up only five points from five league games without Fletcher while slipping to 11th in the table.
Monk is expecting his top scorer back in March and told Wednesday’s official website: “Fletcher is doing fantastic. He was well on his way to having his most successful season but look, that happens.
“We have tried to adapt with it and everyone that has come in and given their best. Hopefully he’ll be back at the start of March. He is doing really well in his rehabilitation, we can’t put a specific date on it but we have been told, speaking with the medical department, around the start of March.
“Whether that be the first or second week, it’s a lot brighter than we originally thought and hopefully he’ll come back and play a part this season.”
Monk isn’t short on options in Fletcher’s stead, having signed Connor Wickham on loan from Crystal Palace to accompany the likes of Jordan Rhodes, Atdhe Nuhiu, Sam Winnall and Fernando Forestieri, but they have missed his goals.
Nuhui (3), Rhodes (3), Winnall (1) and Forestieri (1) haven’t managed to match Fletcher’s tally between them this season, so his return can’t come soon enough.
Wickham started up front in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Barnsley and may keep his place against Luton Town on February 12 as he needs to build up his match fitness.
