FROM the grimy South Yorkshire scrapyards of Rotherham to the chic high life of Italy's splendid capital, Rome.

Forty-eight hours in the busy life of Burnley striker Kurt Nogan as he ponders a possible berth on the Wales substitutes bench in tonight's prestige friendly against World Cup runners-up Italy in Terni.

And today Wales manager Bobby Gould promised the streets could be paved with World Cup gold for Turf Moor's leading marksman as the France 1998 qualifiers draw ever closer.

Speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph from the Wales team base in Rome, Gould said: "It is entirely up to Kurt Nogan. He is very much in my thoughts and has scored some great goals for Burnley. I've watched his progress with great interest this season.

"When I picked Kurt in the Germany squad I told him it was entirely up to him. He has the talent, there is no doubt about that.

"After that international I told him to go away, to continue working hard and to keep doing what he does best in the game-scoring goals.

"Finding the back of the net is Kurt Nogan's path to soccer riches. That path could lead to the World Cup if his progress continues. I mean that."

Wales gave mighty Germany the fright of their lives at Cardiff Arms Park in October when it needed a late strike from Jurgen Klinsmann to deny the plucky Welsh the draw they deserved.

But, while Nogan must now settle for a possible place among Bobby Gould's substitutes tonight, another taste of the international limelight will be more invaluable experience as the Turf Moor striker rubs shoulders with the Italian elite.

It stands Nogan in good stead as Gould maps out his two-year Welsh blueprint for the demanding Group Seven World Cup fixtures against Holland, Belguim, Turkey and San Marino. Gould added: "I'm a great believer in the philosophy that players pick themselves if they are in form.

"If you are in form then you get noticed. That is the reason Kurt Nogan was on the plane with us to Rome on Sunday.

"With a two-year World Cup qualification programme coming up then Kurt has everything to play for.

"He has a great ability to put the ball in the back of the net and Kurt is on fire in the Endsleigh League for Burnley. If he carries on scoring I will carry on picking him. It is as simple as that."

While Nogan was overlooked for November's trip to Albania he was delighted to be handed the chance to link up with the Wales squad for the glamour trip to Italy following his squad inclusion against the Germans.

"It is a great honour for me and I'm just hungry for the challenge," said Kurt.

"I've had a good season so far with Burnley and the call-up by Wales is another major opportunity for me."

Even though Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi had decided he does not need the magical talents of the "The Divine Ponytail" Roberto Baggio and is deprived of flu-hit skipper Paolo Maldini the Azurri will still have a multi-million pounds squad to choose from.

It will still prove a supreme examination for the Welsh and Blackburn Rovers defender Chris Coleman, expected to play alongside Adrian Williams and Kit Symons in defence, pitching the Welsh back line in against grey-haired Juventus striker Fabrizio Ravanelli and Parma's Gianfranco Zola.

It was the selection of Sheffield United midfielder Glyn Hodges-who will win his 18th cap and make his first Wales start in almost four years-which caused most surprise as Gould unveiled his team.

The 32-year-old has made just one international appearance, as a late substitute against Germany in October, since playing against Austria in Vienna in April 1992.

Gould is expected to stick with his prefered system of three central defenders, two wing-backs augmenting a three-man midfield and two up front, Ian Rush and Mark Hughes.

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