GARY Speed has hailed Reebok rookie, James Sinclair, as a shining example to any aspiring young professional.

The Newcastle-born striker-turned-full-back was tossed into the heat of the battle at Stamford Bridge last Saturday, and gave a nerveless performance that suggests Wanderers could have a gutsy little prospect on their hands.

Yet, as Speed revealed, the 19-year-old Geordie's future at the Reebok had been in doubt.

"It's a lesson for everyone," said the evergreen midfielder who was stand-in captain at Chelsea and was this week promoted to the role of player-coach in the wake of Sam Allardyce's departure.

"I think he got released a month ago and was told he wasn't wanted at the club.

"But, instead of getting his head down, he's carried on working hard and he's ended up playing in a championship decider at Stamford Bridge.

"That says a lot for him, not just as a player but as a character.

"He's done great for us, coming on against a top team and top players and wasn't fazed in any way. So congratulations to him.

"Hopefully, he can carry on from there." Chelsea were giving it all they had in a desperate attempt to keep their title hopes alive, when Sinclair was sent on for the injured Idan Tal with 13 minutes still to play in a supercharged atmosphere.

But he played his part well as the patched-up Whites earned a creditable draw that effectively handed the title to Manchester United - all the more impressive since they kicked off without six first-teamers and under the cloud of speculation that Allardyce was on his way out.

All the attendant publicity surrounding the manager's position overshadowed a spirited team performance and young Sinclair's cameo contribution at right-back.

But the youngster got a respectful ruffle of the hair from an impressed Ivan Campo and drew praise from new boss Sammy Lee for the backroom boys who have helped the Sunderland academy kid.

"The work Jimmy Phillips (first team coach and reserve manager) and Peter Farrell (assistant academy director) have done with him over the last 12 to 18 months has been nothing short of wonderful," Lee said.