UNDERFIRE Newcastle manager Graeme Souness has found an unlikely ally in Blackburn defender Michael Gray.

Souness's name might be mud on Tyneside right now, but at least one native from the north east has respect for the former Blackburn boss after he was impressed by his methods at Ewood Park.

"I could have signed for a couple of clubs around the time I joined Blackburn but Graeme was the only manager who picked up the phone and said he wanted me at his club, which was really, really pleasing to hear," said Gray, a fervent Sunderland supporter.

"When he did that, I jumped at the chance and from walking through the door to the day he left, he was always great with me and he's a true gentleman.

"He would often pull you to one side and have chats about how you thought things were going, and I respected him for that."