Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill could be peacemaker in Steven Fletcher dispute with Scotland

Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher (GETTY IMAGES)

Martin O'Neill is considering acting as the intermediary between Steven Fletcher and Craig Levein to open the door for the Sunderland forward to return to international football.

Fletcher has not played for Scotland for more than a year, since he sent a text message to a member of Levein's Scottish back-room staff to say that he was unavailable for a game.

On Sunday, the 25-year-old striker said on his Twitter account that he was open to a return to playing for Scotland and the key could now be O'Neill, who is keen for the £12m forward he signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers during the transfer window to return to play for his country.

"I touched on it briefly when he was signing here, in a casual conversation with Steven," said the Sunderland manager.

"I have not pursued it any further – it might need an olive branch along the way. Am I going to provide that at the minute? It's not really my job. I need to know the ins and outs to do that."