HE might be on a nice little earner cleaning Kevin Nolan's boots, but Rhys Powell could soon be following in his mentor's footsteps.

The fiesty young Welsh kid, who has been promised a £50 bonus for every goal Nolan scores, continues to impress as one of the rising stars of the Wanderers academy.

Maybe that is because he keeps good company. For he is not only Nolan's "boot boy", but he also lives with Joey O'Brien - the latest talent to roll off the Reebok production line.

Like O'Brien, he is making his way up the international ladder, having graduated from youth to Under-21 level.

He will add to his representative honours on Tuesday, when Wales Under-21s travel to Cyprus for a friendly.

The Wales FA have high hopes of the 18-year-old right-back and are delighted with his progress.

"We are pleased with what Bolton are doing for the player's development and I'm sure Rhys is," said Mark Evans, the WFA's international administrator.

"And we are reaping the rewards. He's got great a attitude to go with his performances and I'm sure that, at a club like Bolton, he will keep his work ethic."

Meanwhile, Powell is alreday set to pocket a £350 Christmas bonus, thanks to Nolan taking his goal tally to seven.

"He is really looking forward to Christmas this year," Nolan said of his protege.

"He's a good lad and he makes sure my boots are shiny and clean.

"I told him at the start of the season, that even if I didn't get a single goal I'd reward him for the fantastic job he's done. But the way it's worked out, I think we're both pretty happy just now."