Fulop arrived at Sunderland from Tottenham in January 2007

Sunderland goalkeeper Marton Fulop believes clubs at the foot of the Premier League face a much tougher test for survival than they did last season.

Newly-promoted Hull and Stoke have fared well this season and Fulop feels their impact shows how tough the division has become.

"None of the clubs that came up look like they're from the Championship," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"They all spent a lot of money to buy players which makes them hard to beat."

The Wearsiders remain 10th in the Premier League after ten games, with 12 points.

Meanwhile, Fulop made only his second league start of the season in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat by Stoke City following the absence of Scottish international goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

And the Hungarian admitted he would love to be between the posts when Sunderland turn up at Stamford Bridge for their Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday.

"I want to be solid for Sunderland, and when Craig is fit we'll see what happens," he said.

"But I'd love to play at Stamford Bridge, it's one of the best venues in the world."

Fulop, 25, joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur as part of the deal which took goalkeeper Ben Alnwick to White Hart Lane in January 2007.

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