Elias Kachunga is itching to play against Bristol Rovers, regardless of how little is riding on the game.

In many ways the pressure is off Ian Evatt’s side at the Memorial Stadium, where a point will almost certainly guarantee fifth spot and a play-off position is already in the bag.

The Bolton boss may decide to hold back certain players with one eye on next week’s semi-final first leg at the University of Bolton Stadium, to be played against Sheffield Wednesday or Barnsley.

Kachunga’s view is quite different. After scoring at Wembley in the Papa Johns Trophy final and then starting the following game against Exeter City, he admits to feeling some frustration that he had to wait five games for his name to next be on the team-sheet.

Out of contract in the summer, the 31-year-old is keen to make a difference in what he hopes will be a four-game run to Championship football.

“It is not always easy being in and out of the team,” he told The Bolton News. “If you have a few weeks out, the team changes a bit. But if you play week in, week out you get a different feeling for the team and the games.

“Everything is different if you start, but it is what it is. We now have four more games hopefully and I will try to give everything for this club and for this team. Hopefully, we will make it and the club can get a league higher.

“The past few weeks, it was obviously a bit frustrating after good games at Wembley and Exeter not to get the game time from the start. But that is football sometimes - you have to work hard for your chance and grab it with both hands.

“(Against Fleetwood) I tried to helped the team again and it was good to get another win. To end the season with good performances is always good.

“At the start of the season, I had a spell where I was in the team when we won five games on the bounce. Different things happen but it is what it is. We are now in the play-offs and hopefully we can have a few more good games.”

Opinion on Kachunga has polarised in his two seasons with the club. On one hand his goal record – eight in 89 appearances in all competitions – is low for an attacking player. On the other, his tactical nous, ability to hold up the ball and to press effectively, have all been recognised by his manager and team-mates.

Earlier in his career in England, Kachunga helped Huddersfield Town into the Premier League playing a very similar style of football, becoming a fan-favourite in the process.

He smirks when asked if it has always been this tough to win people over.

“I don’t think it’s always been like that in my career,” he said. “When I played week in, week out I could help the team.

“At Huddersfield, I didn’t score every game but the people loved me there because I gave the team something. I worked hard for the team wherever I played.

“That is what I try to do whenever I step on the pitch. Sometimes you have good games and sometimes you don’t. I always want to play.

“Like every footballer, if you are in the starting XI you feel comfortable to do something. I am just happy with the performance (against Fleetwood) and the trust from the gaffer to play from the first minute.”

Since scoring in the Papa Johns Trophy semi against Accrington, then again in the final, Kachunga might be said to be on a roll. He insists, however, that his best football will only come with regular starts – and he is yet to play three games, back to back, this term.

“I don’t know if much has changed,” he said of his post-Wembley form. “When I have been in the team and starting the games, I don’t think my performances were that bad.

“I think everyone who knows how football is sees how much I give to the team. Sometimes it is not with the goals – if you just look on paper you would say it wasn’t the best season. But I know what I can give the team on the pitch and how much I can help.

“I am just pleased that I can show it and people have recognised it. But the job is not done yet, we have four more important games hopefully. Everyone wants to go back to Wembley and we showed what we could do there last time. Our target is to go back there and write history again.”

Exactly how Wanderers will approach Sunday lunch-time’s game is unclear. Kachunga believes it would be unwise to rest easy.

“We will not disrespect Bristol Rovers,” he said. “We must be professional and play a good game to take a good feeling into the play-offs.”