Nosworthy hails Bruce recruitment

Nosworthy has become a fans' favourite in his four years at the club

Sunderland defender Nyron Nosworthy believes manager Steve Bruce's player recruitment has been beneficial to team spirit at the club this season.

Manager Bruce brought in seven new recruits and allowed 11 to depart the club and Nosworthy feels the newcomers have had an immediate impact.

"The type of players he's brought in have got a good pedigree and everyone gets on," he told BBC Newcastle.

"Everyone is enjoying training and when you're winning you play with a smile."

Strikers Darren Bent and Fraizer Campbell arrived at the club from Tottenham and Manchester United, while midfielders Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana joined from Wigan and Marseille.

Hull City defender Michael Turner was signed on transfer deadline day for an undisclosed fee, Paulo Da Silva was recruited from Mexican side Toluca while Lyon defender John Mensah is on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move.

Meanwhile Nosworthy, 29, has a strong bond with Sunderland, notably with the fans, which was forged during the club's Championship promotion season in 2006-07 and has continued to develop since.

However as a boy Nosworthy was an Arsenal fan, with Ian Wright a personal hero, and the versatile former Gillingham defender remains an admirer of the Gunners, and the brand of attacking football they play under long-standing manager Arsene Wenger.

"They play the best football in the league," he said.

"They haven't won a trophy in a while but they continue to play in the Arsenal-Wenger way.

"He came in and make a real big stamp at Arsenal and changing the way they play football totally, right across the system they play that type of football and credit to him for that."

Sunderland signed Nosworthy from Gillingham in June 2005 after his contract expired at Priestfield and he has since made 118 appearances for the Black Cats.