HOMESPUN Bolton youngster Kevin Nolan will relegate World Cup superstar Youri Djorkaeff to the bench for tomorrow's Reebok date with Everton.

It highlights a remarkable recovery of form after a disappointing spell last season when manager Sam Allardyce claims the scouser went "big time".

Nolan, 21, scored nine goals from midfield in Bolton's first season in the Premiership but managed only one last year.

He was pushed into Djorkaeff's front-three role when the Frenchman suffered a calf injury and scored in three successive away games to force the World Cup star to settle for a substitute's job now he's fit again.

Allardyce said: "Kevin has been fantastic. We moved him up front after casting our minds back to his first season in the Premiership, when he scored nine goals, even though we were very limited in creating chances.

"Last year he went a bit big time, like many a young lad can do. All of a sudden, he had been scoring freely from midfield in the Premiership and was playing for England Under-20s, and he got carried away.

"We sat down and identified the situation and Kevin, more than me, has done something about it. He's made himself one of the most successful young players in the Premiership.

"There aren't many as young as him playing there on a regular basis. He was a nightmare when he wasn't in the team last year because it was my fault. He had lost his basic focus and perhaps I could have sussed it a bit sooner.

'Nice problem'

"But he's doing so well now that we can put Youri on the bench and wait for him to come back in.

"It gives me a nice problem because I can't leave anyone out for him, even though he's one of the best players we've ever had in the history of Bolton."

Nolan said: "Youri has just come back from injury but it's my aim to stay in the team and not worry about the people behind me.

"Basically, I learned in my second season in the Premiership that you can't take anything for granted. I've found it tough but I've worked hard and I'm really happy again now."

Away days

Central defender Emerson Thome returns to the squad after a hamstring injury.

Allardyce, meanwhile, looked at a fixture list that pairs his side with the Premiership's big three in the space of five games and said: "That's why we've got to beat Everton tomorrow."

The Reebok club are in a comfort zone by their standards but that can be undone in a hectic schedule that includes a trip to Chelsea and home games with Arsenal and United.

Bolton have tomorrow's Everton game and a difficult trip to Fulham before going to Chelsea.

Allardyce wants six points from the December programme but knows it's a big task and it all piles on the pressure to win tomorrow.

He said: "If you don't take advantage of your opportunities in the Premiership, the opposition will take advantage of you. That's how cruel this league is.''

Bolton's six games after tomorrow are: Dec 6 Fulham (away), Dec 13 Chelsea (away), Dec 20 Arsenal (home), Dec 26 Liverpool (away), Dec 28 Leicester (home), Jan 7th United (home).

Key opponent: Wayne Rooney - Has the ability to win any game.

Last season: Bolton 1 Everton 2

Prediction: Bolton 1 Everton 1

BETFRED:

Bolton 13/10 Draw 11/5 Everton 9/5

Correct Score
Bolton To Win
1-0 6/1
2-0 11/1
2-1 17/2
3-0 25/1
3-1 18/1
3-2 28/1

1st/Last Goalscorer In Match
Djorkaeff 13/2
Jardel 13/2
Pederson 15/2
Davies 11/2
Okocha 8/1
Giannakopoulos 10/1
Nolan 8/1
Frandsen 20/1
Campo 25/1

Jardel & Bolton 1-0 40/1
Okocha & Bolton 2-0 66/1
Nolan & Bolton 2-1 55/1

Other odds available on request. Prices subject to fluctuation. Ring BETFRED on 0800 73 11 210

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