HAVING scored vital goals to set up two successive mind-blowing victories at Old Trafford, it is hardly surprising that a derby duel with Manchester United holds no fears for Kevin Nolan.

Most 21-year-olds might quake at the prospect of facing one of the most formidable forces the Premiership has ever known, but the Merseysider has enough confidence in his own ability and in the quality of the players around him to relish another head to head with Sir Alex Ferguson's Reds.

The bravado is genuine, too. Asked if he feels in the least bit apprehensive going into the Reebok clash, he adopts the most positive stance imaginable -- too polite to sound offended by the suggestion, but leaving the questioner under no illusions that previous encounters and this season's formbook offer reasons to be cheerful.

"It's a big day, a big game and we're looking for a big result," he said.

By his own admission, Nolan struggled last season to live up to the sky-high standards he set for himself in 2001-02 -- his matchwinner at Old Trafford was his only goal of the campaign -- but he has re-emerged as a valued member of the Wanderers' midfield.

He has held down a regular place and, as promised, he has been scoring on a regular basis.

His superb solo effort to rescue a draw in the FA Cup tie at Tranmere was his fifth of the season and set him up nicely for tonight's main event.

"We're big game players here -- as we've shown so often in the past -- and hopefully we can do it again tonight," he said.

"We've matched everyone this season. We did it against Arsenal, we did it against Chelsea and we did it against Liverpool -- maybe not on Boxing Day but earlier on in the month when we won there in the Carling Cup.

"We've shown we can beat anyone on our day and hopefully this will be our day and we can get back to getting those three points again."

"We're full of confidence; we've done really well at home and there's no reason why we can't get another good result."