Nolan Hails England Appointment

By Mark Heys
May 5 2006

Bolton skipper Kevin Nolan believes that Steve McClaren's appointment as the new England manager will open the door to a whole new international regime.

The 23-year old has been constantly overlooked by current national boss Sven Goran Eriksson despite performing consistently for the Wanderers in the top flight for over four years.

Yesterday's appointment of McClaren will boost the chances of players on the fringes of the national squad according to Nolan, who has once again hit double figures in front of goal this season.

Tottenham pair Michael Carrick and Jermaine Jenas and Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing are all players whom Nolan feels will get their chance when McClaren takes over from Eriksson at the start of August.

"It is a clean slate for myself and the other hopefuls around the squad like Michael Carrick, Jermaine Jenas and Stewart Downing," Nolan told Sky Sports earlier today

"It is a new era now and there are a lot of lads around the squad who are under 30 and he will hopefully look to bring some youth in. It is a fantastic opportunity for a lot of players with McClaren getting it, as he does believe in the youth system."