Nolan on course to win fitness race

The 20-year-old was called up from the Under-21s squad following Steve Finnan's withdrawal through injury and after a series of impressive performances for North End.However, his hopes of making his senior international debut against the Georgians in Dublin were dashed by an Achilles injury.Nolan told the club's official website: "Things seem to be getting better already with the injury, so fingers crossed that everything will be alright for me to play again at the weekend."I've never had to pull out of an international before, so this is horrible timing for it to happen. I have to take the positives out of this, though."It's great that I was picked in the first place and I'm pleased that Giovanni Trapattoni has been to watch me a few times, including last Saturday at Reading."

Source: Team_Talk