By Richard Frost

BOLTON midfield star Kevin Nolan has revealed the secret motivation that is driving the Reebok players' bid to stay in the Premiership.

He paid a rich tribute to manager Sam Allardyce on the eve of the massive Lancashire derby with fellow relegation strugglers Blackburn at the Reebok, saying: "We want to keep him in the Premiership because he deserves it."

Bolton go into the game knowing that victory will give them a seven-point comfort zone ahead of the Ewood Park side, who are currently third from bottom.

Nolan, 19, stressed the incredible job that Allardyce has done at Bolton since becoming manager in October 1999. He said: "He has brought this club such a long way. When he joined Bolton we were eight positions off the bottom of the First Division.

"But he got us to the play-offs that year and he also got us into two cup semi finals.

'Beyond our dreams'

"The year after he took us to the play-off final again and we won it to come into the Premiership.

"And look what he has done for us this season. No Bolton fan in the world would have dreamed it would have been this good, and certainly I didn't

"He's brought in so many players who are world class, or who are going to be world class. Hopefully we can give him what he deserves and keep him in the Premiership. He's done more for this club than anyone."

Liverpool fan Nolan is looking forward to a likely showdown with warhorse Mark Hughes, who has been used in a deeper role by Blackburn recently.

He said: "I've followed Mark Hughes since I was a little kid and he's a great player.

"I used to watch him at Manchester United and thought he was unbelievable. He was my worst nightmare when he used to come on against Liverpool because he always seems to turn the game.

"I hope he does play because it will be a good battle and I''m really looking forward to it."

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