NYRON Nosworthy will be turning back the clock to his days as a teenage trainee when he begins his new life with Sunderland on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old defender is hardly lacking in experience after making more than 160 senior starts for his former club Gillingham.

But, after completing a Bosman switch to Wearside last month, he is starting with a clean slate as he attempts to force his way into the first team ahead of the start of the new season.

"It's all going to be very new for me because I've never moved clubs before," said Nosworthy, who will meet his new team-mates for the first time when the Sunderland squad re-assemble at the Academy of Light on Tuesday.

"I started at Gillingham as a YTS trainee and I suppose it's a bit like being in that position again.

"I do feel as though I'm starting all over again because I know I've got to impress the manager and the coaching staff and try to force my way into the team.

"That's not going to be easy, but it wasn't easy when I started as a kid at Gillingham either. I've done it once though and I guess that experience will stand me in good stead here at Sunderland."

If Nosworthy is to establish himself in the Black Cats' starting line-up, he is going to have to dislodge Stephen Wright from the right-back berth.

Wright made 42 appearances as Sunderland romped to the Championship title last term and is able to boast Premiership experience from his five years at Liverpool.

Nosworthy, who is yet to taste life in the top-flight, can offer defensive versatility to a Black Cats rearguard that has been shorn of the departed Mark Lynch.

But, while the Londoner has played right across the backline for Gillingham, he is hoping to establish himself in his preferred right-back slot during Sunderland's packed pre-season schedule.

"I can play anywhere across the back if I have to but my preferred position is definitely right-back," said Nosworthy.

"We had quite a small squad at Gillingham so there were times when you had to play out of position because the manager didn't really have any other options.

"I've played everywhere across the back and even in midfield or up front. I think the only position I didn't play in at Gillingham was in goal but, with the size of the squad at Sunderland, I don't really envisage that kind of thing happening very often here."

Sunderland's players fly to North America on July 12 for a four-game tour that will see them face opposition from both the United States and Canada.

They will also take on Hull and Sheffield United - a further friendly against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar is also in the offing - before the real business begins when the new Premiership season kicks off on August 13.

Charlton will be the first visitors to the Stadium of Light, offering Nosworthy the opportunity to win some early bragging rights.

With the Addicks being Gillingham's closest rivals in South-East London, the Brixton-born defender is pleased to be taking on opponents he knows so well.

But, perhaps more importantly, he is also delighted that Sunderland will be starting their Premiership campaign against one of the top-flight's so-called lesser lights.

"It's a nice introduction into life in the Premiership," he said. "It's always good to start at home and I think that's the main positive to have come out of the fixture list.

"Charlton will still be a massive test because they're an established Premiership club who have done well over the last few season but, with the greatest of respect, they're not a Chelsea or a Manchester United.

"We've still got those teams to play of course and it's thinking of those games that really drives home everything that's happened to me this summer. I'm in the Premiership now and every game is going to be a big one."

* Sunderland unveiled their new home kit yesterday.

The new shirt features a round neck with a red insert and red piping on the shoulder and sleeve area. The shorts are black with red piping and a white side flash and the socks are black with a large red panel and white stripe on the back.

The reverse of the shirt replicates the design of Sunderland shirts from the 1890s as featured in the famous Thomas M.M. Hemy painting, which hangs in the main reception of the Stadium of Light.

As in the days of 'The Team Of All The Talents' the red and white stripes are topped on the back of the shirt by a horizontal red and white hoop.

The painting, which depicts a game between Sunderland AFC and Aston Villa, dates back to 1895 and is the oldest known oil painting of Association Football in the world.

Marketing and Communications Director Lesley Callaghan said: "The new design reflects the tradition of the club while also looking to the future. It incorporates traditional elements from shirts of the past with a modern twist and we hope it will prove to be popular with our fans."

The shirt will be worn during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.

Read more about Sunderland here.