KEVIN Nolan can expect a call from new England U-21 boss David Platt after his sensational top flight debut at Leicester.

Everybody is talking about the 19-year-old Wanderer, who crowned an impressively mature midfield performance with two stunning strikes - his 14th minute header having the distinction of being the first goal of the Premiership season.

Despite already being capped at Under 18 level and rated hightly by those who have closely followed his blossoming career, the Liverpool lad was relatively unknown nationally until he grabbed the limelight in spectacular fashion in Saturday's unbelievable five-goal rout.

Now the pundits, whose only previous interest in Wanderers had been dismissive and disparaging, are asking "Who is Kevin Nolan?"

"He is and can be a superb player," Sam Allardyce said of his talented midfielder, who made his debut as a 17-year-old in February 2000 before establishing himself in last season's promotion-winning squad.

"I'm not sure how many people will know about Kevin but he has a very, very bright future.

"He doesn't just have ability but he has size and strength. He's six feet two, 13 stones and has the physique and the ability. Strangely, I'd only mentioned just before the game about his heading, which for his size could be better ..."

The response was a superbly-placed looping header that turned Per Frandsen's cross high out of Tim Flowers' reach for the goal that put Wanderers on their way to their biggest ever Premiership win, their first five-goal haul in any league game since May 98 and their biggest away win in competitive football since a 6-1 derby triumph at Blackburn in January 1928.

He struck again with Wanderers' third on 32 minutes and would have had a hat-trick but for an excellent save by Flowers before half time and a moment's hesitation in the second when he spurned a shooting chance.

Throughout the game he showed a maturity beyond his years - a typical display of his combination of skill and strength coming in the second half when he muscled Junior Lewis off the ball and produced an inch-perfect pass to give Michael Ricketts a sight of goal.

Praise for the youngster came thick and fast after the game but with the plaudits came words of advice.

Skipper Gudni Bergsson acknowledged: "He is a great prospect. For a young lad to play his first game in the Premiership and score two goals must have been a dream. But, like the rest of us, he must not get carried away."

And former Leicester favourite Ian Marshall, who received a rousing reception from the City fans when he replaced Bergsson 15 minutes from time, warned of the perils of high expectations.

"He was excellent," the veteran said of the youngster. "If Gareth Farrelly had been fit, he would not have played but he could have had a hat-trick. That was a great save from Tim Flowers.

"But everyone's got to tell him to keep his feet on the ground. When you're in the Premiership it's easy to have your head turned by the bright lights and the extra cash. You can raise expectations."