Don't be the new Michael Ricketts, Allardyce warns N'Zogbia

The 21-year-old will link up with his country's under 21s squad next week for games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania after an excellent start to the new season despite being asked to play out of position at left back.

N'Zogbia has won rave reviews for his performances to date after a wasted 2006-07 campaign after injury and speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal contributed towards a difficult year for him.

However, he has prospered under Allardyce since he replaced Glenn Roeder at St James' Park, and is starting to show once again the ability which led Sir Bobby Robson to fight so hard to lure him away from Le Havre.

But while Allardyce has been delighted with his contribution to date, he has ordered the youngster to keep his feet firmly on the ground after seeing Ricketts lose his way.

Asked if he is pleased to see N'Zogbia making an impression at international level, he said: "Yes, but as long as that does not affect him in the wrong way.

"That can happen to young men when all the other boys start talking to him about this, that and the other. All of a sudden, he's disgruntled again.

"It can be a good thing, but it can also be a very destructive thing. You know, I saw a player play once for England, and he is now playing at Oldham Athletic. He's called Michael Ricketts.

"It affected him that badly. He let himself get carried away by the situation, and his career ended up declining."

Then Bolton striker Ricketts was handed a senior England cap by Sven-Goran Eriksson against Holland in February 2002 after plundering 15 goals for Wanderers in a blistering start to the season, but after an alarming slump in form, was sold to Middlesbrough during the following January.

Having struggled to make an impact at the Riverside Stadium, he left on a free for Leeds 18 months later and after loan spells at Stoke, Cardiff and Burnley and permanent moves to Southend and Preston, is now playing his football at League One Oldham at the age of 28.

Allardyce may have the option of returning N'Zogbia to his preferred midfield role as Everton head for St James' on Sunday as he looks for greater creativity in midfield.

Summer signing Jose Enrique, a £6.5million capture from Villarreal, played the full 90 minutes for the reserves against Manchester City in midweek and could now be ready to start a Premier League game for the first time.

But whoever plays at the back this weekend, Allardyce will demand a much better performance after seeing his defence capitulate at Manchester City last Saturday.

The Magpies led 1-0 at Eastlands courtesy of Obafemi Martins' deft finish, but slumped to a 3-1 defeat as midfielder Elano helped tear them apart at the back.

The absence of Elano's compatriot Claudio Cacapa through a groin injury may have had much to do with that, and Allardyce is hoping to be able to welcome the 31-year-old former Lyon skipper back into the fold for the visit of David Moyes' men.

He said: "The last time he played, we beat West Ham 3-1, and we did not see that type of defending from anybody against Manchester City.

"I think he would have taken a grip of them with just Emile Mpenza up front.

"He would have been able to read the situation much better - but it was not to be. But he should be okay for Everton on Sunday."