Nolan has scored in six out of the last seven matches that Bolton have won - and the Trotters have won every match in which Nolan has scored this season

The televised Premiership clash between Bolton and Spurs saw one of the strikes of the season by one of the hottest players in the Premiership, Kevin Nolan.

His first-half strike was as cleanly hit as any shot you'll see this or any other season - and his influence on Sam Allardyce's side simply can't be overstated.

Nolan has scored in six out of the last seven matches that Bolton have won - and the Trotters have won every match in which Nolan has scored this season. He is the midfield engine that makes the Trotters tick - and his performance last night at the Reebok, where he completely outshone fellow England hopeful Michael Carrick, would certainly have made the watching Sven Goran Eriksson sit up and take notice.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce certainly thinks Sven should consider his skipper for international duty. He told the Bolton Wanderers official website, "I am sure Sven would have been impressed with Kevin because he was the best player on the pitch. He is showing great consistency.

"He showed the quality in that finish and his understanding of the game and his vision is what you need.

"There is nothing like a scorer from midfield, as Chelsea will tell you with Frank Lampard. Without Kevin's goals we wouldn't be third in the league now."

Every World Cup or European Championship year, we see one or two players break into the England squad. Kevin Nolan could be that man in this particular World Cup year. He has the strength and discipline to play a midfield holding role, but he also has the nous and vision to break forward and influence play in the final third.

At only 23, Kevin Nolan is still improving, and if he can continue his superb form, it's surely only a matter of time before Sven selects him for the national team.