TURF Moor goal machine Kurt Nogan reflected on his senior Wales call-up against Italy and declared: "It is a dream come true."

Nogan was kicking his heels today unsure whether he would force his way on to the substitutes bench for tonight's glamour friendly against Italy in Terni.

But speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph from the Wales team Headquarters in Rome: "It hardly seems possible that this is all happening to me.

"One minute I'm playing at Rotherham and the next minute I am involved with an international squad preparing to play against one of the top four sides in the world.

"Even if I don't win a place as a sub against Italy, and Bobby Gould has the option of a lot of Premiership players in the squad with a lot more experience than me.

"This has given me a real taste for what international football is like.

"I know it is only a friendly, but it is just a really great honour to be involved with my country at this level. Even if I have to wait for my chance, this has proved another fantastic experience.

"It is nice to be involved with the squad again. Bobby Gould has told me just to be working at my game. As long as I continue scoring for Burnley then I will have a chance." Nogan has still to gain a senior cap for Wales after winning honours at Under-21 level against Poland and England in 1990. He was chosen for the senior international against Germany in October but did not feature.

"We've had a couple of light training sessions since we arrived on Monday and had a look around Rome. The journey to Terni is only about an hour out of Rome so we are well placed. I just hope I will be involved tonight. That would be a personal dream."

Lancashire FA Youth Cup holders Burnley crashed out to Tranmere Rovers 4-1 in a second round replay on the Wirral last night.

Paul Bowden handed the young Clarets a 30th minute lead with a spectacular strike. But a powerful Tranmere side hit back with four second half goals to secure a semi-final tie against either Oldham or Manchester United.

Burnley: O'Leary, Pennington, Heffernan, Dugdale, West, Gray, Lee, Bowden, Duerden, Eastwood, Elsworth.

Burnley aim to bolster their Pontins League division two promotion push at Port Vale tonight. Kick-off is 7.00 pm. Burnley from: Russell, Dowell, Hoyland, Davies, Smith, Borland, Adams, Taylor, Duerden, Eastwood, McMinn, Francis, Robinson.

Arsenal manager Bruce Rioch has transfer-listed striker Paul Shaw. The forward spent two months on loan at Burnley last season. Shaw is currenly on loan with Second Division rivals Peterborough United.

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