Sheffield United v Derby County: Kilgallon arrival last straw as Nosworthy seeks stability

The Sunderland defender, who makes his home debut for the Blades against Derby County this afternoon, says Pompey's financial problems were the major reason for his decision.

Ironically, the Blades owe nearly 50m but the situation at Bramall Lane is under control and nothing compared to events at Fratton Park.

Pompey have lurched from one crisis to another in the last few months and face a winding-up order next week in the High Court.

This week, Hong Kong businessman Balram Cainrai became the club's fourth different owner of the season but is already looking to sell.

Nosworthy said: "It was a choice between Portsmouth and Sheffield United but I chose this club because it is a lot more stable.

"Some people ask why have I dropped out of the Premier League but Portsmouth are in a bad way.

"They are desperate to get people in because they are losing their best players but, unfortunately, their finances are putting them in a really bad situation."

Although there are still over two years remaining on his contract at Sunderland, Nosworthy fears that he is no longer part of manager Steve Bruce's plans. Matthew Kilgallon's arrival at the club from United was the last straw.

"I could have stayed at Sunderland and fought for my place but the manager had told me he wanted other players and I would be out of the picture.

"It is always disappointing to be pushed out of the door but that is part and parcel of football and there are no hard feelings.

"All doors are open now. I have been given a chance to come here and help the team get to the Premier League," he said.

"The manager has made it clear what the goals are and I just want to get games and get some consistency.

"If I play well for a big club like Sheffield United, everyone will be looking and listening, but my main goal is to keep this club in the play-offs and push on from there."

After arriving in Yorkshire on Monday, Nosworthy played for the Blades just over 24 hours later but his debut turned into a baptism of fire against Watford.

The Blades, who had been rocked by Kyle Walker's shock return to Tottenham Hotspur on the eve of the game, slumped to a 3-0 defeat and lost captain Chris Morgan to injury in the process.

"It was not a good start but we have a chance to put things right quickly," said Nosworthy, likely to partner Jonathan Fortune in central defence.

Manager Kevin Blackwell, meanwhile, accepts that it is a gamble to keep playing both Fortune and full-back Derek Geary due to their history of injury problems.

"I feel guilty asking them to play but I have no other options," Blackwell admitted.

"If we push them to the limit, they could break – and that is not fair on either of the lads who want to get their careers back on track."