EVERYONE connected with Bolton Wanderers should share in the pride and bask in the reflected glory of Gary Cahill finally realising his dream to play for England.

It’s been a long time coming and the lad has had to be patient – but all the waiting and frustration ended on Friday night at Wembley when he was sent on as a second-half substitute.

I know Gary would have preferred not to have got his big chance at the expense of an injured team-mate and I think it said a lot about his character and professionalism that he expressed his concern for the unfortunate Michael Dawson.

But everyone knows injuries are part and parcel of the game and it isn’t the first time and it will not be the last that one player’s misfortune has opened the door for another to make a big name for himself.

I thought Gary acquitted himself very well on Friday night and I would not be surprised if Fabio Capello starts with him in the game in Switzerland tonight.

Capello said at the weekend that he believes Cahill has a big future at international level and I’m sure he will confirm that belief when he names him in his first 11.

He knows he has the right temperament and will not be fazed by the pressure of a big match.

And I’m certain Gary will have the backing of all England fans who will have warmed to him after showing so much pride and emotion at having achieved the distinction of playing for his country. You can just picture his proud dad, tears running down his face, as his son ran on to Wembley pitch to win his first cap.

Some people might say it’s a refreshing change to see a player show such appreciation and pride at pulling on an England shirt, but my experience is that all international players are proud to play for their country. Some of them get pulled down by the press and criticised for apparently not caring, but I know Stevie Gerrard very well and I can tell you he is bursting with pride every time he wears the Three Lions on his chest.

Playing for your country is the highlight of a player’s career. Forget the money, forget the egos, it’s about pride and when things go wrong badly it hurts.

Here at Bolton we can all take a lot of pride in what Gary Cahill has achieved and I’m sure we’ll all be watching tonight’s game with extra interest now we have one of our own involved.

The fact that Wanderers have half a dozen players away on international duty says a lot for the quality of the squad Owen Coyle has at his disposal. But, as ever, it leaves him sweating on them all returning fit and well from their travels so that he can name his strongest possible team for the game at Arsenal on Saturday.

Obviously Jussi Jaaskelainen is suspended but I’ve got every confidence in young Adam Bogdan.

I speak to the kid a lot and while he is filling some very big boots, he is level headed and has bags of talent and I don’t see any reason why he can’t go to the Emirates and keep a clean sheet.

It’s going to be a severe test for him but he’ll get all the support he needs from the manager, the goalkeeping coaches, his team-mates and from Jussi himself. He’s such a great pro with so much experience and I’m sure he will be there for Adam, if he needs him.