Is Sunderland's Connor Wickham their saviour? Can the young striker become an England star?

In 2011 Connor Wickham left Ipswich Town for Sunderland. It was supposed to be the start of a glorious career, yet it didn't pan out that way. The striker cost a reported $15 million dollars and the huge sum meant there was pressure for Wickham to produce heroic performances, and quickly so. It never panned out. The star spent time on loan in The Championship this season, but how has he suddenly become a Premier League scoring sensation over night?

A matter of weeks ago he was being misused in a struggling Leeds team, but Sunderland manager Gus Poyet recalled him from his loan spell, suggesting his Premier League side needed something different. They've certainly got it now. Wickham has been fighting to save his Sunderland side from relegation, and although he has been nothing less than terrific, his side may still suffer at the seasons end.

Wickham has finally started to live up to his huge transfer fee. His late double ensured Sunderland drew against Manchester City in their mid-week fixture, but how would he fair away to Premier League title contenders Chelsea. He was a nuisance for their experienced defense, and scored a first half equalizer, adding to his great form.

Can Connor Wickham become Sunderland's saviour, and can he the. Work his way in to Roy Hodgson's England squad? For now he's just focusing on doing what he does best, and that's scoring goals. Although it's been three years in the making, Sunderland might finally reap the rewards in signing their hotshot striker.