Pardew backs Nolan for England

Nolan's backheel from Shola Ameobi's knock down in the Wear-Tyne draw last Sunday put the Magpies man on ten for the season in the Premier League.

Only Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez and Tyneside team-mate Andy Carroll has scored more times in the top-flight, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard nowhere in sight.

But Pardew feels Nolan still does receive the recognition on the international scene his performances deserve; a fact he has had to get used to since earning the last of two Under-21 caps in 2004.

"Kevin could play for England," said Pardew. "Have there been players who are not as good as him who have played for England? Yes, there have been. Could he play in the future? Personally I would really hope that he would get a cap. If you can deserve a cap for England, he deserves one."

As Newcastle captain Nolan attends a weekly, Monday morning meeting with Pardew at Newcastles training complex in Benton to reflect on the events of the weekend and to discuss any problems.

And during the short time Pardew has been in charge at St James Park he has come to find the 28-year-old is a character - and a talent - worth having inside the changing room.

"But the one thing that I said to him on Monday is that I actually think he is a better player than I thought he was," said Pardew. "That is a compliment to him because we all know he is a good player but he is so efficient. He doesn't really waste possession.

"Wherever it comes to him, whatever angle, he seems to control it and keep the ball. He is not elaborate with the ball. He is not a manoeuverer of the ball. He is efficient with the ball and when it comes in the box he has a nous and a strikers nose for goals. We were looking at it and he must have seven goals from set-plays."

Despite missing training on Thursday with a throat infection, Nolan is expected to line up in the Newcastle midfield against Tottenham this afternoon. In the absence of both Cheik Tiote and Alan Smith, Nolans performance will be even more crucial.

But Pardew knows the former Bolton man has the ability and the intelligence to ensure Newcastle are well prepared in the absence of their two main holding midfielders.

"It is important that when you are a senior player you need to change your game," he said. "At certain points Kevin will have to change part of his game. You cant get around the pitch when you start getting older.

"Kevin has a real manager's knowledge of the game and I could probably see him doing that role one day. You can see he has the credentials for that job. No problem."

Pardew would have preferred to have had added to his squad before Tottenhams visit to St James Park', but little progress has been made on the transfer front.

He remains interested in Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland, but the fear is he will miss out on him because of financial implications, just as the Magpies did with David Bentley and Seb Larsson.

In fact Newcastle have lost another player, having given the go-ahead for Wayne Routledge to rejoin QPR after spending much of this week training with his former club.

And with Tottenham likely to have players like Jermaine Jenas, Roman Pavluychenko and Vedran Corluka expected to be among an expensive group of substitutes today, Pardew knows Newcastle need to strengthen.

"Harry Redknapp can turn round to his bench (and see internationals) and this week I might have a young player who has never been involved in the first team," said Pardew, with Smith and Dan Gosling the latest to hit the treatment room in the last week.

"Ive always been a big admirer of Harrys - he doesnt make mistakes. He's had finance to work with but doesn't waste that money. Hes got a  good little thing going and a fantastic squad of players who can  certainly challenge for the title.

"They had good players when Harry went there but he's done a great job in turning them round. Their confidence was low and he instills that in a team. That's why he is being linked with England job."