Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce claims it is "a joke" that Kevin Nolan was left out of the Under-21 squad which crashed out of the European Championships in Switzerland last night.

The 19-year-old finished second in Wanderers's goalscoring charts after bagging nine goals during his first season in the Premiership, and Allardyce is amazed Nolan was overlooked for Under-21 honours.

Nolan has been capped for the Under-20s but Allardyce feels his performances in the Premiership warranted at least a place on the plane to Switzerland.

Big Sam said: "I consider the exclusion of Kevin Nolan from the England Under-21 squad to be a bit of a joke. Kevin has played 34 games in the Premiership and scored nine goals and doesn't get in the squad to go to Switzerland.

"I think they have made a very big mistake from that point of view. Kevin himself is extremely disappointed about that."

Portugal stormed two goals clear after just 20 minutes in a game England needed to draw at least to have a chance of qualifying. Alan Smith pulled one back but then Portugal scored again to finish 3-1 winners.

With leaders Italy and Switzerland drawing 0-0 it meant they both qualify for the semi-finals on Saturday.