Cahill's England dream

8:40am Sunday 12th October 2008

GARY Cahill hopes to use Wanderers as a springboard to the England side.

The highly-rated centre-back watched enviously as 12 of his team-mates jetted-off on international duty this week.

Gary Megson has described the 22-year-old as “the best young defender” in the country, while he is understood to have caught the eye of England boss Fabio Capello.

Ambitious Cahill admits he would love to have been involved today’s World Cup qualifier with Kazakhstan.

But, for now, the former England Under-21 star is happy to concentrate on helping Wanderers climb the table.

“It would’ve meant the world to be going out on international duty this week, but right now I’m concentrating on club football and trying to put in some good displays,” he said.

“You play for your country on merit, so if I can put some good performances in constantly this season, who knows?

“The manager has said some nice things about me, and since I have come to Bolton I have improved.

“I’m still reasonably young and still got a lot to learn, so I’m far from the finished product.

“But my progress is going well and I’m happy with what I am doing at the minute.”

Cahill has been a revelation at the Reebok since his £5million move from Aston Villa in January.

The Yorkshireman has formed a formidable partnership with Andy O’Brien at the heart of the defence.

In fact, one of the few blemishes of his Bolton career was his red card in the embarrassing Carling Cup exit at the hands of lowly Northampton earlier this season.

His rash challenge resulted in a three-match suspension, but Cahill has vowed to learn from his mistake.

“The red card was very frustrating,” he added. “It was a terrible night all round, but especially for me.

“But I treat it all as a learning curve. I got a three-match ban but kept my work up in training, kept myself strong and got back into the team.

“Hopefully, I will learn from that and not get sent off again.”