The Fuller figure

Lawrence: Fuller fan

When Ric gets the ball it gives you a lift because you just know he's going to do something special nine times out of 10. He doesn't pass very often, but that's him, that's what you've got to accept

Liam Lawrence
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Liam Lawrence has warned the Premier League to watch out for Ricardo Fuller next season.

The Stoke winger backed the Jamaican striker to set the top flight on fire after successfully helping Tony Pulis's men stave off relegation back to the Championship.

Lawrence played his part with what turned out to be the winner against Hull in the game that meant they were safe, but was quick to heap praise on Fuller.

He hit the headlines for the wrong reasons back in December when he slapped team-mate Andy Griffin after Stoke conceded a goal in their 2-1 defeat, but both player and club have put that firmly behind them.

And Lawrence believes the only people suffering at his hands next season will be opposing defenders.

"I think you'll see even more from him next year," he told Goals on Sunday.

"With Beatts around him doing all the work he'll get the time and space to pick the ball up and run at defenders, which he loves doing.

"When he gets the ball it gives you a lift because you just know he's going to do something special nine times out of 10. He doesn't pass very often, but that's him, that's what you've got to accept.

"When he does get in full flow he's tenacious, the ball's his and he's so strong. The fans love him."

The feeling is probably mutual, if Lawrence reaction to the Britannia Stadium faithful.

Stoke's fans were named the loudest in the league this season and Wigan boss Steve Bruce was quick to point out the part they played as the Potters signed off their home games with a 2-0 win on Saturday.

"They are fantastic to be fair," he said. "They were voted the loudest in the Premier League and there's only 25,000 of them.

"I say 'only' but they pack them in and if we can get corner (of the ground) filled in, it will get even better.

"They have grown massively as well. When I first came we got about 12,000 or 13,000, but for a couple of years now they're filling it every week. It's just unbelievable."