KEVIN Nolan's elevation to the England Under 20s ranks was another feather in the cap for the young Wanderer and the staff who brought him up through the ranks.

Further proof that the Reebok academy is starting to bear fruit is the presence of Michael Gillan and Chris Howarth in the Under 16s.

And with the likes of Salford lad Danny Livesey turning in the sort of performances that frustrated Leeds' star Alan Smith in the reserves last week, the future looks bright.

But Sam Allardyce is still not happy.

"It's not happening quick enough for me," the Wanderers' boss said today.

Big Sam is happy with the backroom team he has assembled to ensure his academy is run efficiently, effectively and professionally.

But he is determined to build a top flight facility to compete with the best and is becoming increasingly frustrated by the failure to secure the land that will give the stars of the future their own, custom-built headquarters and make Bolton one of the centres of footballing excellence.

"There is little, at this moment in time, that we can do until we secure the piece of land we need to structure the academy properly," he explains.

"We've built a very good set up in terms of infastructure and the quality of the people who are working in the academy but the facilities are still not there."

Wanderers are currently in negotiations with Bolton Council over a plot of land they have earmarked for their academy base. But things are not progressing quickly enough for Allardyce, who admits: "I've got to be patient but when I want something I want it today. I want it now. I'm like a big kid ... it's the way I am. That's why I will push and push and push to keep it going.

"The strides we have made behind the scenes have been enormous but I'd still like things to be happening a bit quicker. We are getting there, though, and to have Kevin in the U-20s and the two young lads in the U-16s is fantastic from our point of view.

"I just hope these young lads remember it's us who brought them in and, when they get tempted by the bigger clubs, they stay with us.

"I'm delighted for them and for their families but I have great fears about players playing for their country before their 16th birthday because they get recognition and we have no hold on them - although new regulations may make the compensation factor so big that it will put the big clubs off poaching players.

"I'd be distraught if these players didn't sign for us."

Allardyce takes pride in seeing Nolan progress, after being bold enough to give the young midfielder his head, and is confident the Liverpool lad will make the Under 21s - "if not before the end of this season then next".

"It (youth development) is part of my job description and it gives me a lot of satisfcation to know that we have started to progress," he says.

"It's been a lot quicker than people would have expected, considering we don't have the right facilities.

"From all accounts we are not too far away from getting those facilities. The sooner the better, as far as I am concerned.

"If the town is willing to support us then all the town will benefit, not just Bolton Wanderers."