Kevin Nolan has recalled getting on Sam Allardyce’s wrong side as a youngster at Wanderers.

Big Sam was clearly impressed with what he saw from Nolan at Bolton, later signing him for Newcastle and West Ham.

However, the boss wasn’t afraid to lay down the law if he didn’t think players were giving their all in training.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Nolan explained: "Sam had picked his XI (for the weekend) and I obviously wasn't in it. I was 19, I might have just turned 20.

"I remember thinking, 'I'm not having this, I am going to see him'. I was raging and I trained like it, a bit lethargic, and you think you have got away with it.

"This is why Sam was so good because he has given it one of them so I was thinking, 'I am fuming'. He said, 'Kev, come and see me in the office in a bit'.

"I was thinking 'Yeah, I will. I was coming anyway. I am definitely coming to see you'.

"I have knocked on his door and walked in and literally before I even got to sit down, he has jumped up, grabbed hold of me, by the ear, and he has got me up against the wall.

"He said, 'If you ever, ever do that to one of my training sessions again, you will know'. And I've just gone, 'Yep, I was just coming to say sorry gaffer!'"

Nolan went on to become a popular figure among Wanderers fans, spending a decade in the North West before heading to St James’ Park.

The 41-year-old is currently part of David Moyes’ backroom staff at West Ham, having called time on his playing career in 2016.

You can follow our dedicated Wanderers accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.