Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has backed Steven Fletcher to be a crucial player in his team.

The Sunderland striker will feature for the Scots in their friendly international against the USA on Friday

"Wherever Steven has gone, he has made teams better," the Daily Mail quotes Strachan as saying.

"When he was at Hibs he made them a better side — and it's been the same at Burnley, Wolves, Sunderland; he had a terrific season for Sunderland last season until he got injured playing for us. He has that quality to make a squad and a team better.

"No, I haven't had much of a chance to work with him. But listen, I know he can do it. There's no question about that."

Strachan added that working with Fletcher is "fantastic" and hailed his ability on the ball.

"It's great working with good players," he said. "It is fantastic as a coach to see really good players working.

"When you see class players training, it's great. And Steven has added to that. You watch him today and the way he comes to the ball and glides with it when he has got it.

"He is comfortable with the ball and is at one with the ball when it comes to him. It's great."

Fletcher has scored one goal in 12 appearances for Scotland so far in his career.