HE’S made only three appearances for Bolton – but that didn’t prevent Stuart Pearce picking Marvin Sordell ahead of Town hot shot Jordan Rhodes in his Olympics squad.

The former Watford striker, sold to Wanderers for £3.2m in January, has been a regular in Pearce’s England Under 21 squad, scoring twice in seven outings.

Rhodes, the top scorer in all four English divisions last season with 40, can claim eight in as many games for Scotland Under 21s.

But that wasn’t enough to earn him a place in the 18 for London 2012, with Pearce also picking Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge (inset left) alongside over-age option Craig Bellamy.

Rhodes is now alongside David Beckham on the stand-by list of four, with any call-ups having to take place by July 25.

Sordell, 21, was born in the London suburb of Harrow and played junior football for Fulham before being shown the door at 14.

He became a scholar at Watford after impressing at an exit trial and signed a professional contract in April 2009.

Having had a loan spell at non-league Wealdstone in 2008, Sordell made a handful of appearances for Watford at the start of the 2009-10 season.

He was then loaned to Tranmere, where his eight games include one against Town at Prenton Park in February 2010.

By the time he left Vicarage Road, Sordell had scored 27 times in 92 games and played for England at both Under 20 and 21 level.

Bolton’s relegation from the Premier League means he will be in line to play against Town in the Championship.

Sturridge’s inclusion provides consolation for missing out on a place in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad (he has two full caps).

The 22-year-old ex-Aston Villa, Coventry and Manchester City player, who shone on loan to Bolton in 2010-11, scored 13 goals from the right flank for Chelsea last season.

But the £3.5m man who is being linked with Tottenham and Liverpool is expected to start in his favoured position as lead striker in the Olympics.

That will allow him to spearhead Team GB’s bid for gold in their first appearance in the Olympic football tournament since 1960.