Anton Ferdinand has revealed his first chastening experience playing against Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer at St James' Park.
Shearer remains the Premier League's all-time leading goalscorer with 260 strikes from his time with Blackburn Rovers and the Magpies.
The legendary number nine also became United's record goalscorer, breaking Jackie Milburn's record with his goal against Portsmouth in February 2006.
Shearer appeared on talkSPORT's 'Kick Off' show alongside former West Ham and QPR defender Ferdinand on Thursday night, and the centre-back recalled his first encounter with the Magpies frontman at St James' Park.
Newcastle played out a goalless stalemate with the Hammers in August 2005, although Graeme Souness' side would record a 4-2 victory at Upton Park four months later.
Shearer was unable to break the deadlock on that first occasion, but Ferdinand admits there was a tussle between the two that made the defender realise he would need to bulk up .
Ferdinand told talkSPORT: “The first time [I came up against Alan] was my second-ever Premier League game up at St James’ Park. I don’t know if you remember it, Alan?
Shearer laughed in response and replied: “I do, yeah.”
Ferdinand said: “We drew [0-0], but I remember one time the ball bouncing in the middle of the pitch and you just stepped across me and held me there as though to say ‘stay there little boy’.
“After that, I’m telling you, the next few weeks I spent in the gym!”
