By Chris Bevan BBC Sport at St Andrews

On 8 May, head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will announce the group of 23 players that he believes can win the World Cup for England.

Until that time, speculation is sure to continue over the exact make-up of the squad as the build-up to the finals in Germany intensifies.

BBC Sport and the fans run the rule over Bolton's goalscoring midfielder Kevin Nolan against Birmingham City as he tries to grab the attention of England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

It is easy to sum up Nolan's senior international career - because it has not started yet.

Despite a series of impressive displays for an over-achieving Bolton side in the Premiership over the past few seasons, Nolan has so far been overlooked by Eriksson.

Capped by England at every level from Under-18 to Under-21, a full call-up has so far eluded him despite his emergence as one of the Premiership's most consistent goalscoring midfielders.

He has notched 11 times for Wanderers this season and his form and attitude led Bolton boss Sam Allardyce to make him club captain at the tender age of 23 in November.

Nolan is Wanderers skipper for good reason - as Allardyce's first lieutenant on the pitch he constantly directed and cajoled his team-mates and that side of his game was particularly impressive here.

You could not fault his effort either. Clearly one of the reasons Nolan is a big favourite with Bolton fans is because he plays like he cares.

KEVIN NOLAN FACTFILE Born: 24.6.82, Liverpool Clubs: Bolton Career games: 232 Career goals: 39 England caps: 0

In the early stages he was caught in possession a couple of times but instantly chased the ball down and retrieved it.

He showed willingness to track back and pick up the runs of Nicky Butt or Damien Johnson, won most of his tackles and was competitive in the air too.

Nolan also has the rare ability to find space and lose his marker and he did so on several occasions at set-pieces but the ball did not break for him.

He also got forward with every attack and was unlucky not to score with his only shot of the match when he tried to pick his spot from the edge of the area only for Maik Taylor to spectacularly deny him.

His passing was often limited by Bolton's tactics - on occasions he simply knocked the ball into the corner for El Hadj Diouf and Kevin Davies to chase.

Only when he tired in the latter stages of the match did his control let him down and he was twice dispossessed when Bolton were in a threatening position.

But he showed a sure touch for most of the match and his distribution only let him down on one occasion when he was overly-ambitious with a clearance. More impressive were the two diagonal balls he pinged to the feet of Stelios in the second half.

With Bolton trailing, Nolan became more and more frustrated with his side's lack of cohesion and got involved in a slanging match with Birmingham fans as he waited to take a throw-in, something which was completely unnecessary.

He was hauled off five minutes before the end to be replaced by Ricardo Vaz Te and by then the 'Nolan for England' chants that earlier rang out from the Bolton end had ceased.

Apart from Gerrard and Lampard, there is no better English midfielder than Nolan. He is the driving force behind Bolton and pushes the whole team forward. But unless he plays for one of the big four clubs he hasn't got a chance - he might as well play for Ireland.
Gregory, Bolton fan

Nolan is a good player - but no more. He could be a good alternative to Lampard if he got injured however. And he might fit in better in England's midfield than him. Nolan's main advantages is his skill, running and shooting. He's also a great leader on the pitch. His main problem is his lack of pace.
Flyingfrenchman, via messageboards

Nolan did not shine at St Andrews

He definitely should be in the squad on the basis of how he has played this season but he possibly just doesn't get looked at. I don't think he should necessarily be in the team but there are plenty in the squad he should be ahead of.
Andrew, Bolton fan

Nolan is a fantastic all-round player who deserves a chance. There is no denying Gerrard and Lampard are better but considering the contributions from the likes of Jenas, Hargreaves etc he warrants a place. He works his socks off every game and could be the breath of fresh air the squad needs.
Hertsboltonfan, via messageboards

It is only because he plays for Bolton that he has not been called up - if he was at United or Arsenal he would be in the set-up already. Unfortunately I think he is going to miss out this time but he is only young and his time will come.
Cath, Bolton fan

Nolan has drive, determination, two good feet and an eye for goal. Exactly the type of player you need as back-up to the established England midfield.
Warthog, via messageboards

He is certainly good enough but given what is in front of him he is never going to get a chance. He has played excellently for us all season and has never let us down - but we are not exactly a fashionable team are we?
Andy, Bolton fan

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce believes his captain should be an England player already - and remains defiantly optimistic that the midfielder can still sneak into Eriksson's squad for Germany.

"He is a great example to the team and has a great attitude," Allardyce said. "He will keep putting his name forward and we are still hopeful.

"Kevin is proving himself every week in the Premiership now. You never know what might happen."

Allardyce does not feel Nolan should be picked ahead of Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard in the centre of the England midfield but feels his form has earned him a place in the squad.

"He has played at every level for England and considers himself good enough to play for the England first-team now.

"He may not be a starting man, but certainly should be a squad man as far as I am concerned.

"He has been as good as anybody in the Premiership apart from Lampard and perhaps Paul Scholes a couple of years ago. He matches and beats everybody else at the top end."

Nolan's failure to even manage a call-up into the England squad so far means he will almost certainly be on a beach in June rather than in Germany with the World Cup squad.

NOLAN'S COMPETITION Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Ledley King, Jermaine Jenas, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, Phil Neville, Kieran Richardson

He appears to be the perfect back-up for Gerrard or Lampard but Eriksson clearly prefers other players as cover and as Nolan will not get a chance to prove his worth on the international stage until he is selected he finds himself in a classic Catch-22 situation.

Sadly, given his love of the club, playing for Bolton is unlikely to further his cause. The suspicion remains that although Bolton's style of play benefits him, it is also holding him back and it could be that only a move will elevate his England credentials.

Of course, Eriksson steps down after the World Cup and at 23 Nolan has plenty of time to impress his successor, whoever that may be.

But if England continue to ignore him it could be that Nolan's best chance of international football will be with his grandparents' country, the Republic of Ireland, who have already approached him.