How difficult Sunderland loan spell helped Middlesbrough striker Ashley Fletcher

The 24-year-old frontman joined the Black Cats on loan from Middlesbrough in January 2018 but scored just two goals in 16 appearances in the Championship following the move.

Yet Fletcher, who has been a regular starter for Boro this season, says he learnt a lot from his time on Wearside.

“Obviously it’s never never nice being relegated. I never wanted to go there and for that to happen,” said the striker.

“I learnt a lot about myself and how to cope with disappointment in football because I’d never really had it up until then and that’s when I kind of turned into a man in a way.

“I had to take a lot of criticism which was just and obviously you get criticism all through your life, all through your career and now I know how to deal with it.

“It was a really good learning experience.”

Since then, Fletcher has returned to Boro and looks set to be involved in another Championship relegation battle this season.

The Teessiders sit just a point above the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s important meeting with Charlton, yet Fletcher thinks his current side are better equipped to beat the drop.

“At Sunderland it was so tough and off the field problems weren’t helping and there was uncertainty with players,” said Fletcher, who has netted four goals in 19 appearances for Boro this term.

“Here everyone is pulling in the same direction to get out of the problem and it’s just a case of putting the wins together.

“It’s easier said than done because the prime example was Hull came to us on Sunday and we played them off the park and then they went and won 4-0 against Preston.

“Anyone can beat anyone in this league, there’s no easy games so we go into the Charlton game thinking we can beat them and then the Forest game and the Swansea game.”