Bolton boss Gary Megson has hailed the influence of captain Kevin Nolan in the club's battle against relegation.

Nolan was absent through suspension as Bolton were pushed closer to the Barclays Premier League trapdoor by demoralising defeats to Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Wanderers threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to the 10-man Gunners on March 29 and were then thrashed 4-0 at Villa on their next outing.

That left Megson's side in deep trouble but since Nolan's return the Trotters have pulled themselves out of the bottom three with battling wins over West Ham and Middlesbrough and a draw at Tottenham.

Megson said: "He has a big influence in the dressing room, on the pitch and as a person, as a captain and leader. He does very well from that point of view.

"We could do with him scoring again, like he was doing, but I think a lot of clubs have that talisman, not in terms of good fortune, but when they are about the place your results tend to be a bit better."