Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce admits he loaned out Steven Fletcher because he didn't want the striker 'moping around'.

Scotland striker Fletcher joined Marseille on deadline day with Allardyce bringing in Dame N'Doye on loan from Tabzonspor and Wahbi Khazri from Bordeaux to fill the void.

Fletcher was not given much of a run under Allardyce and the Black Cats boss has revealed that the 28-year-old did not feature in his plans for the Wearside club's relegation battle.

"It was a big decision made by both of us but in the end Steven wasn't happy not to have played and I didn't feel he was going to get back in," Allardyce said

"So on that basis I didn't want him hanging around, moping and feeling sorry for himself, so I took the decision on the fact we've got N'Doye, Jermain Defoe, young Duncan Watmore and Wahbi Khazri.

"They can all play on the front-line, so I think I've got plenty of options there."