CHRIS Eagles believes Chung-Yong Lee’s season-ending injury could prove to be a galvanising force for Wanderers.

The versatile midfielder revealed the mass disappointment felt within the squad for their team-mate, who sustained a double leg fracture that rules him out for at least the next nine months during a friendly against Newport County on Saturday.

Chung-Yong returned home to Bolton today to begin a long rehabilitation process, but Eagles reckons the anger still felt within the camp at the young winger’s misfortune can be channelled to produce results.

“I was only new to knowing Chungy but you can tell by the lads’ reaction, he was so popular,” he said. “It feels like there’s something inside the squad now that we want to play for him. Maybe an extra incentive, I don’t know.

“The thing is, it could have happened to any of us because there were a few dirty challenges flying around early in the game. But now we’ve just got to pray for him and hope he gets better.”

Eagles filled the right wing spot in the 3-0 victory over Hereford United on Monday night, scoring the Whites’ first with a long-range effort.

But the 25-year-old does not want to be regarded as the South Korean international’s replacement, and he accepts he could be used in a variety of roles this season.

“Chungy’s injury does give someone an opportunity but I’d rather not look at it like that,” he said.

“I’d like to think that even if he was fit, that I’d be playing, but I pray to God he does get fit soon and we can see him back playing his best football again.

“I played out on the right hand side against Hereford and enjoyed it.

“I haven’t played there for about a year because at Burnley I was playing just behind the striker but I loved it, and it was good to get on the scoresheet.

“I’ve always been used left or right, anywhere across the front, but I’ll always give 100 per cent.

“My favourite position depends on who we play against and how the game shapes out.

“I felt I was coming inside a bit too much on Monday night but I’ll learn that, with the better players I play against. They are brilliant on the ball and world-class players, and that’s what I’ve come here to work with.”

Eagles has been playing catch-up in pre-season after missing a week of training while his joint £2.75million move with Tyrone Mears from Burnley was being negotiated.

But there was evidence in Hereford that he is finding his range – and the former Manchester United man admits he is starting to settle in his new surroundings.

“The free kick was great but on the other side I had a few chances I felt I should have put away,” he said. “There was a curling shot I should have hit the target with. But that was my second full 90 minutes and I’m looking forward to more.

“Bonding-wise it’s been a good experience to be away with the lads in Wales because it’s sometimes hard to meet new players and get into the way they play.

“They seem a great bunch and they’ve welcomed us both with open arms, so hopefully I can repay them on the pitch.”