KEVIN Nolan has made such a massive impact on the Premiership that Sam Allardyce has to keep checking his records to remind himself how old - or young - he really is.

"It's amazing to think that he is still only 19," the Wanderers' boss says of his midfield starlet. "The lad's very mature for his age."

Mature in every sense of the word. For while still refreshingly enthusiastic in keeping his personal scrapbook up to date, young Nolan is sensible enough to have his feet firmly on the ground.

"He has a good family and doesn't get carried away," the manager adds. "He just loves playing football. He's made very good, steady progress in his career, coming out of the Academy and last season playing more than 30 matches for us.

"He's been a great boost to us this year but I must admit he's surprised me with the amount of games he's played and how reliable he's been.

"He's made a massive contribution too with his seven goals which make him our second leading goalscorer."

Such a contribution has earned him a second called up to the England Under 20s. Four months after he was forced to withdraw from a previous friendly, he is due to take his next step up the international ladder in front of a home crowd when England take on Finland at the Reebok next Wednesday.

Ironically, the game comes a week after Nolan was dropped to substitute for the Sunderland game - rested after showing signs of feeling the strain of a tough Premiership campaign.

Nevertheless, Allardyce believes Nolan should already be in the Under 21s and looking forward to this summer's European Championship Finals in Switzerland. But the lad himself reckons he might welcome the chance of a summer's rest after the rigours of keeping Wanderers' in the Premiership.

For, while some would put national honours above club concerns, the young Scouser has only one objective in mind.

"He likes the England scenario," the Reebok boss confirms, "but he likes playing in the Premiership for Bolton Wanderers more than anything else.

"A bit of international recognition is great but he's focusing on us at the moment.

"Anyway, Kevin's so young that he'll still be eligible to play for the Under 21s next season. So time is on his side."

England coach Martin Hunter believes the U-20s - a level introdcuced this season - is the perfect launchpad for the U-21s side and sees Nolan as the ideal candidate for promotion.

"The development of the under 20s is a great initiative to encourage top class professionals to progress to the under 21s level. It is the perfect transition.

"The preparation is geared to next year's Toulon Tournament, where England will be sending an experienced young squad."

Of the Wanderers' starlet, he said: "Kevin Noland is an outstanding young professional with Premiership experience. He has shown a lot of promise this season and his call up to the squad is without question justified.

"It will be a great experience for Kevin to be playing on his home ground and I know he is looking forward to the experience. The opportunity to play at this level will help him and, if he continues to progress at such a rapid rate, he will be knocking on the door of the under 21s squad."

Tickets for Wednesday's game (ko 7.30) are available from the Reebok Ticket and Membership office: adults £3 (£5 on the day), children (under 16) and pensioners £1, with family tickets (two adults, two children) at £5 but only available in advance.