Bolton defender Gary Cahill will be named the captain when they take on Sporting on Thursday in the UEFA Cup, for the first time in his football career.

Cahill has been given the armband by Bolton manager Gary Megson after he left Kevin Nolan, Kevin Davis, Ricardo Gardener and Andy O’Brien out of the squad to face the Portuguese team.

Gary Cahill, 22 years of age has been in sensational form for Bolton since he joined them in January from Aston Villa and is ecstatic at the role he has being given.

Speaking after hearing about the news he said that it’s a great honor and that its even more special, as it is the first time he has been named as captain of any football club.

Bolton have been forced into making a number of changes for the UEFA Cup tie with Sporting but Cahill thinks they still have enough quality in their team to progress to the next round.