SUNDERLAND defender Nyron Nosworthy has revealed how he has been a Tony Pulis supporter from afar for the past decade.

For it was Pulis who gave Nosworthy his first leg up on the ladder towards his own appearance in the Premier League.

Nosworthy, who was in town for Sunderland's fixture at the Britannia on Wednesday, recalled: "I know Tony Pulis well. He gave me my first professional contract at Gillingham.

"He gave me my first chance and I have never looked back.

"I played for my Sunday team against Gillingham's youth team in a competition. We lost 1-0, but obviously there was a scout at the game and I got picked up from there.

"I owe him a big thank you for getting me started.

"He knew I was a bit raw, but he obviously saw something in me and could see that I was willing to learn."

Nosworthy, therefore, took a keen interest in Stoke's gradual progress under Pulis as they were transformed from one-time relegation material into eventual promotion winners last May.

"I'm very pleased for Tony because he has worked his way through the leagues," said the 28-year-old Brixton-born defender. "Wherever he has been he has worked wonders.

"I saw a Stoke game on TV recently and, among his coaching staff, he has got one or two people I used to play alongside, which is nice to see."

Nosworthy makes no bones about the formula behind the Pulis success story, but nor does he make any excuses for a style proving so productive down the years.

"He's into very physical, strong players because that's the way he likes to build his teams. It's horrible to play against, but very, very effective.

"For us, though, that's part and parcel of being in the Premier League. You have to face all kinds of different tests."