And Harry Redknapp has backed him to give his defence a headache.

The Jamaican international mustered just one goal in 37 games after arriving from Preston in the summer of 2004.

He was shipped out in a cut-price deal to Southampton 12 months later having failed to set the Blues alight.

Despite his impressive work rate, Fuller's sole strike came against Crystal Palace in a 3-1 September 2004 triumph.

Now he's enjoying life at Stoke, having scored 28 goals in 84 games, including two so far this season.

Regardless of his disappointing Blues stay, though, Redknapp believes Fuller is a quality performer who can wreak havoc.

He said: 'I know all about Ricardo Fuller and I know he's a difficult player to come up against.

'He's such a handful for anybody.

'He's as hard as iron, strong and skilful.

'He is capable of a bit of brilliance, just something out of nothing.

'He's a top striker.

'He worked his socks off for us and, although he didn't manage to score the goals, he did well.

'He was unfortunate really because he gave his absolute all, it just didn't work out.

'Over the years there's been a lot of talk about his knee but he's never missed a game.

'He plays every week and has done for his last few clubs.

'He's back in the Premier League now and I feel he can score goals at that level, without a shadow of a doubt.

'He can be a real handful and we will have to watch him.'

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