DON OF A NEW ERA FOR KEV; New era for Kev.

Byline: LEE RYDER

KEVIN NOLAN goes into tomorrow's clash with Doncaster Rovers admitting Newcastle United have made him feel reborn.

The ex-Bolton Wanderers skipper's career had arguably began to stagnate at the Reebok Stadium after helping rebuild the Trotters and leading them into Europe.

But with seven goals and an assist to his name in 14 games this season, the battling midfielder says Newcastle have handed him a new lease of life.

Now Nolan is leading the charge and hoping to erase painful memories of Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe in the last week.

And the player whom Bolton wanted to re-sign in August told the Chronicle: "To be quite honest, in the two years at Bolton I probably wasn't quite in the condition I wanted to be in.

"No disrespect to what Bolton had, but it was just a fact that I was carrying a lot of knocks.

"I had problems with my ankle, and problems with my ribs, and it takes its toll in the end.

"I could never, ever go through a proper week's training, and someone like me needs to be training day in, day out, and that's what I've done since I've come back for preseason."

United fans weren't overwhelmed by Nolan after his January arrival, but it has emerged that the Scouse schemer signed for United just a fortnight after surgery on an foot problem.

And the ex-Kop kid has thanked United's backroom staff for their efforts. Nolan revealed: "I had an operation a couple of weeks before I came, and Jamie Murphy and all the backroom staff have been fantastic.

"They've looked after me - that's been a major plus for me.

"When they've had to pull me out, they've pulled me out.

"That's one thing I've got to thank them for - they've looked after me as an individual.

"That's what's brilliant here."

Nolan has been a massively influential figure in the dressing room this season, and the ex-Bolton skipper is one of the driving forces behind United's charge for promotion.

His gaffer Chris Hughton, as revealed in the Chronicle on October 13, is poised to sign an improved contract, although he always had two years remaining of his current deal from the start of this season.

Hughton's assistant Colin Calderwood is also set to be rewarded with an improved package.

But reflecting on Nolan's fine form, Hughton hopes that others can emulate his performances.

The Toon chief said: "What I wanted to do was play Kevin a little bit higher up the park.

"From midfield, or from an advanced midfield position, Kevin can get himself into positions to score goals.

"It's a nice option for me. "This is a midfield player who can start a little bit higher, or break from midfield. "He always had an eye for goal when he was at Bolton. "One thing that possibly wasn't mentioned when we took him was that it was postoperation. "He had a small operation on his foot, and I'd say, probably at this moment, he's fitter than any time he's been at the club, and certainly, that's going some way towards his form."

CAPTION(S):

DRIVING FORCE: Kevin Nolan says that his improved fitness this season has enabled him to play a key role in United's promotion push