Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill admits he grew up idolising former Nottingham Forest and Sampdoria stopper Des Walker.

Cahill said: "I would like to think I am not just a head-and-clear-it defender and that I can get the ball down and play it as well.

"Starting off as a central midfielder definitely helped me in that and it's important when you are stepping up to international level that you have a little bit more about your game.

"If you look at the centre backs that have played for England like Matthew Upson, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, they are all good players on the ball and I think it is important that you can do that.

"I took a lot of inspiration from when I used to watch Des Walker. I am a Sheffield boy and I have seen the majority of his games and he played for England as well.

"And playing for England has always been a level I wanted to get to."