SUNDERLAND head coach Gus Poyet revealed Steven Fletcher was unhappy after being left out of his squad recently, but admitted he may have made a mistake after the striker scored twice on his return to the side.

Fletcher marked his first start since August 30 with a brace to help Sunderland secure their maiden Premier League win of the season over Stoke City, after Connor Wickham had given the Black Cats an early lead.

Amid an unimpressive start to the season, Poyet made the decision to leave Fletcher out for the games against Tottenham, Burnley and Stoke in the Capital One Cup, and boss admitted the striker was unhappy.

“He took it very professionally,” Poyet said. “He was not very happy for a few days and clearly didn't like the decision. But there were no problems or complaints.

“Of course as a professional footballer he won't be happy because he wants to play.

“I didn't do it (to make him angry). I needed to change something. I am not a manager who will sit and accept things. You always try and help the team and I made a strong decision.

“The good thing is I am always looking for a way to win. It is not personal it is always for the benefit of the team. We needed some presence in the box from players who really wanted to score. I needed hunger from players who wanted to score.”

Fletcher’s first came when Stoke failed to react to Seb Larsson’s short corner with Jordi Gomez swinging in a cross for Scotsman to glance home past Asmir Begovic.

His second came 11 minutes from time when he found himself in space inside the area to smash home Wickham’s cross.

He said: “I knew he would do everything possible to prove me wrong because he is a strong character. When you get the chance you make sure you do it.

“Maybe I made a mistake leaving him out. That told me he should be playing week in week out. It is good to know he can play like he did because his whole game not just the finishing is very good.

“And now who will be the first one to be picked in two weeks? Steven Fletcher. I am not leaving him out after that. That is good for us and clear for the players.”

Prior to Saturday’s game, none of Sunderland’s forwards had scored a Premier League goal this campaign with Jozy Altidore and Wickham’s only contributions coming in the Capital One Cup.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season Poyet has highlighted to need for one of his strikers to reach double figures.

While he concedes his side haven’t created enough chances for his forward line, the Black Cats boss hopes Fletcher’s double can be the first of many.

“That was the reason we took the decision to bring him back and score some goals,” Poyet said. “Some people must have been surprised by my team but the idea was to look for that partnership and to do something to get a striker heading for double figures.

“We need a striker to get double figures, without that you have no chance. You can be organised, work at set plays, be more physical than the other team, but if you don't have someone to put the ball in the net the rest doesn't count.

“That was the difference. We haven’t created an incredible amount of chances and scored three which is not easy in the Premier League.”

Poyet was also impressed with Wickham’s contribution from the left wing with the striker making a superb run across field to set up Fletcher’s second.

The Uruguayan has been toying with the idea of playing the 21-year-old in a more central role, but after his display on Saturday believes he could be a success out wide.

Poyet said: “He likes it. I am not so sure, but he could be playing a lot there if he keeps scoring.”

Poyet also revealed that Sebastian Coates and Emanuele Giaccherini both face spells on the sidelines and the former could be out for up to six weeks.

Ricky Alvarez was also missing from the squad, although his knee injury is not thought to be serious.