FABIO Capello has finally acknowledged what people here at Bolton Wanderers have known for a long time – that there is a place in the England team for Kevin Davies.

I was absolutely delighted yesterday when I heard Davo, pictured, had been named in the squad for next week’s European Championship qualifier in Montenegro . . . but the celebrations were tempered by the news that Gary Cahill had been left out.

Gary will be absolutely gutted but he is still one of the best centre-halves in the country and, compared to the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, he has time on his side.

He also has a fantastic club manager in Owen Coyle who will make sure he doesn’t dwell on the disappointment.

As for Davo, I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a place in the squad.

For my money he is not only the best target man in the country but arguably the best in the world.

I would even suggest that, if Capello had taken him to the World Cup, England would have had a much more successful tournament.

People keep harping on about Wayne Rooney having a bad World Cup but, if Davo had been there instead of Emile Heskey, he’d have had someone playing with him who was able to take the knocks and handle all the physical stuff. I reckon we’d have seen a much different, more effective Rooney.

I’ve said it time and again, but if I could pick just one person from the Premier League to have alongside me in the trenches it would be Kevin Davies. No one will wear the shirt with more pride, no one will work harder, no one will be more willing to put his body on the line and – as we saw with that deft touch to set up Johan Elmander for that fantastic goal in Saturday’s draw at West Brom – he is just as capable of producing quality football as anyone else, despite what his critics might say.

I’m not so sure whether Davo will make the starting 11 next week, but I hope he gets his chance.

I would start with him because if he can be a handful for the Premier League defenders he plays against week in and week out, just imagine the impact he’d have against the Montenegran centre-backs.

I know everyone at the Reebok Stadium will be delighted for Big Kev – no one more so than Owen Coyle.

Every Bolton manager has put their faith in him but Coyley has been singing his praises at every opportunity and as recently as Saturday was urging Capello to give him a call.

Personally, I couldn’t be more delighted. Being the fans liaison officer, I have a lot of contact with the skipper and we’ve become very close. Davo was the first to text me to congratulate me when I passed my UEFA B coaching licence – and now that he’s working for his B licence he’s started calling me “Coach”.

What a pity Davo’s England call came too late for Gordon Gregg to celebrate.

Gordon, Wanderers supporters may recall, was the 87-year-old fan who tragically collapsed and died before the recent game at Aston Villa.

I attended Gordon’s funeral and passed on to his family the condolences of everyone at Bolton Wanderers in recognition of such a loyal, long-serving and devoted fan.