High Hopes For Owls' Nolan

New loan signing Eddie Nolan is in contention for his first Owls start at Reading this weekend, and Vital has high hopes for the Preston defender.

Nolan's CV reads well, he's just 21 yet has already bagged three caps for the Republic of Ireland side and has represented his country at all age levels.

But there's nothing like a glowing report from those that watch him week in, week out.

We received one of those just this morning from a die-hard North End fan - thankfully it was all good.

He was from the pro-Irvine camp, a big fan of the man during his time at Deepdale and someone who was sorry to see him go.

For the record he thinks Irvine has enough to keep us in the division this season.

Obviously he hasn't seen our last couple of matches, but I'll stick with him on his thoughts for the time being at least.

On Nolan, he insists he was sad to see him go, and would put him straight into PNE's starting line-up.

Although Irvine has said he can play across the back four - and who are we to argue with him - our Preston contact says his best position is at full-back.

A 'bust-up' with North End boss Darren Ferguson was his thoughts as to why Nolan left Deepdale for Hillsborough in the first place, so hopefully their loss will be our gain.

All in all a good report, and hopes here at Vital that his signing will help improve Wednesday's leaking defence.

He'll be in with a shout of a starting role at Reading this week, so best of luck to him if he does get the nod from Irvine.

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