LIAM Trotter doesn’t want his return to the Wanderers team to make headlines news – not that he would read it anyway.

Debate has rumbled on between fans after Phil Parkinson appealed for them to get behind the midfielder after his goal helped the Whites to a comprehensive 4-1 win over Walsall on Saturday.

But while supporters are divided on how much love to show Trotter on Valentine’s Day, his manager looks ready to keep faith as Rochdale visit the Macron Stadium tonight.

Trotter was clearly appreciative of the fact his appearance against Walsall was his first since fans cheered his substitution at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena last month, and as such, the 28-year-old was not looking to shout his return to the team from the rooftops.

But leaving aside personal matters, he hopes that Wanderers’ first win of 2017 can mark the start of something good for the team.

“I don’t see the Walsall game as redemption, or anything like that. I did okay, the team won, hopefully that continues,” he told The Bolton News.

“It has been a tough start to the New Year, a couple of results haven’t gone for us and a couple of performances haven’t been quite what they were but the Walsall game felt better.

“They beat us earlier in the year and so did Rochdale, who are next up, so that is three points we need to get back.

“There are some tough games coming up too, so we need to get ourselves on a run now.

“Of course I am happy to be back in the team. I am happy to contribute.

“It’s always difficult to not be involved. I was in the team and felt I was playing well until I got injured. When I came back I wasn’t as involved and it’s difficult to take.

“The lads had been doing well so you have to roll with the punches and bide your time. That’s what I have been doing. But whether I am in the team or not, the team needs to win. That is all that matters in the end.”

Phil Parkinson’s switch to a 3-5-2 formation gave Trotter some licence to venture forward, compared to the sitting role he had occupied alongside Jay Spearing at Coventry.

“It’s a good formation for midfielders like me who like to get forward and it gives us cover out wide,” he agreed. “With the wing-backs and Jay behind us there’s protection, and the three centre-halves are quite strong. That means we can get forward and support.

Trotter insists he was no affected by last week’s boardroom squabbling, based largely on the fact he keeps away from the newspapers and radio. But he agrees that getting the fans back on message is important for the club if they are going to achieve what they want this season.

“All we want people to focus on is how it’s going on the pitch,” he said. “Fans have got to focus on us, not what’s going on elsewhere because the club will be sorted in the end..”