Trotter Cahill can take England call in his stride

Should Fabio Capello decide to give Gary Cahill his first England cap against Ukraine tomorrow there is every chance the young Bolton centre-half would take it all in his stride.

Cahill, 23, has three times been called up as a late replacement by Capello, this time because of an injury to Manchester City's Joleon Lescott. Each time he has impressed those in the England camp with the confident way he has taken to training.

It is much the same way he responded when Gary Megson surprised everyone by spending £5m of Bolton's money to recruit him from Aston Villa in January 2008. And the same measured way he responds to talk of a potential transfer to one of Europe's leading clubs, with Manchester United, Juventus and Milan all keeping an eye on him.

Cahill said: "If a big club comes in I do not think there will be a problem with that. At the moment I am enjoying my time at Bolton and I have done since I have been there. Nothing is going to happen at this stage of the season."

Cahill was clearly not short of confidence when he told Villa manager Martin O'Neill that he wanted to leave unless he could play every week. "Martin O'Neill is a great manager but everyone makes mistakes," Cahill said. "I spoke to him a few times and he couldn't guarantee me a place week in and week out. It could have backfired on me but it's turned out to be a good decision."

Megson said recently that Cahill is ready for England now, and Capello was at the Reebok last Saturday to see his commanding performance in Bolton's 2-2 draw with Spurs. Cahill insisted he is ready to take his chance. "If selected I am confident I can go out and do the job."