SIX feet three inches and built like the proverbial brick outhouse, Ndiwa Lord-Kangana was onto a winner even before he arrived for his trial at the Reebok.

The young Swede's vital statistics and his reputation as a good defender with a no-nonsense approach reminded Sam Allardyce of a young chap who was making his presence felt 30 years ago ... himself!

"One would hope so," Big Sam said of Big Lord. "There's something missing in today's game - the physical side of things - and it's a great shame.

"But you still have to have that physical presence when you're attacking the ball.

"This lad came in with (academy director) Chris Sulley and performed very, very well in the short time he was here. He's 6ft 3ins, strong and a quick player."

UEFA registration rules scuppered Lord's agreed move from Djurgardens to the Reebok but Allardyce still wants the 18-year-old centre back, who had trials at Celtic before agreeing to join Wanderers.

"I just hope nobody else nips in and pinches him in the meantime," the manager said.