Big Sam keen for Kevin to play again

Sam Allardyce has told Kevin Nolan to keep his boots on for as long as he can after accepting the post of player-manager at League Two Orient.

The 33-year-old, who played with such distinction for Allardyce at both Bolton and West Ham, has launched his coaching career at the Matchroom Stadium, but his former boss insists he should lead by example from the pitch.

The current Sunderland manager, who revealed he had spoken to Nolan about his appointment, said: "I would stress - and I haven't said this to him - play as long as you can.

"Just because you are a manager now, don't stop, keep yourself as fit as you can and play as long as you can, because no matter where you finish as a manager, it's no substitute for playing.

"It will be very difficult for him in the beginning to adjust to being a manager, and hopefully he will manage most of the team on the pitch when he plays with them. That would be my advice to him, get out on the field and manage those players on the field and you provide the sort of football and goals that you know you can.

"I'd be surprised if at least this year, they didn't finish in the play-offs, if not better. Sorry Kev if you think that's a bit of pressure."

For all he was delighted to see Nolan, who left the Hammers by mutual consent in August last year but was unable to find another club, back in the game, Allardyce admitted he could not believe nobody had snapped him up as a player.

He said: "I was disappointed Kevin didn't play for as long as he possibly could at a high level. For some unknown reason in the football world, nobody wanted to acquire what is not just an excellent footballer, but an excellent captain of a football club.

"But now he's cutting his teeth where he always wanted to go, perhaps a little earlier than he might have thought, but an opportunity to become a manager of a League football club cannot be taken lightly.

"There are only 92 professional clubs in the Football League and the Premier League, and he is one of the fortunate people who has managed to acquire one of those jobs."