Nolan Needs To Up The Ante - Sam

By Mark Heys
February 22 2007

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce says that midfielder Kevin Nolan must take his game to a new level if he is to ever stand a chance of breaking into the England national team.

The 24-year old has been touted for a possible international call for a couple of seasons now, but national coach Steve McClaren has so far snubbed the Wanderers skipper when naming his recent squads.

McClaren isn't adverse to trying out fresh talent since taking over from Sven Goran Eriksson at the start of this season. He contraversially dropped Real Madrid star David Beckham and has handed out new caps to Manchester City duo Micah Richards and Joey Barton.

Nolan would be in with a good chance of a call up according to his club manager Sam Allardyce who beleives that his player just needs to improve his overall game that little bit more.

"As well as Kevin plays, as many goals as he scores, he still has another level he needs to get to. And that's clear now because he's played consistently well for a number of years." said Allardyce

"He has to go up one or two per cent in every single department and then he'll definitely break into the England side. But that one or two per cent's a huge step and that has to be made on a consistent level to compete with those other players.

Allardyce feels Nolan's chances have previously been hampered by players in the same position who are playing regular Champions League football such as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard of Chelsea and Bayern Munich ace Owen Hargreaves.

"The competition is one of the biggest problems. Gerrard, Lampard and Hargreaves are playing in the Champions League - so it's hugely difficult for Kevin Nolan who is playing at Bolton."

Nolan was a regular at England youth level but his only U21 appearance came as a substitute against Italy in 2003 despite repeated calls to then coach David Platt for his inclusion.