Had circumstances been different five years ago, Carlos Mendes Gomes might have got his big break in English football with tomorrow’s opponents, Derby County.

At 19 and playing non-league football for West Didsbury and Chorlton, the versatile attacker went in search of his first professional contract at Pride Park.

And while things did not work out for him at the time, he says the advice given to him has helped shape his career from there on in.

“I was there for a week,” he told The Bolton News. “I was playing non-league at the time and for me to get a call for a trial really meant a lot.

“Obviously it didn’t work out at the time for different reasons but I believe that whatever in life is meant for you, will come.

“It wasn’t much to do with my footballing ability but more the physical aspect. I understood it and I took it on board.”

Gomes had moved with his family from Spain after his father got a job in the UK and had played part-time while he studied at Manchester College.

During that time he emailed several local clubs – including Bolton – to see if he could get his foot in the door.

“To be fair when I moved over I didn’t speak any English, and I was looking at clubs in the area and trying my luck with any of them. It didn’t quite work out as planned.”

Gomes got his chance with Morecambe, where he impressed to the degree that Luton Town took him on two years ago in the Championship.

Wanderers brought him back the North West this summer after a successful year on loan with Fleetwood and Gomes says the mood around the club is a positive reminder of his roots with Atletico Madrid.

“Even though I was in the academy there, you grow up and know you are expected to win every game,” he said. “I feel a similarity with Bolton Wanderers in League One.

“I know the size of the club, what the goals are at the end of the season, and it is good pressure.

“It is about embracing that and making sure we achieve our goal.

“For me, I want to play the big games, like this one against Derby. You want to show what you are capable of doing against any big club and we are two big ones in this division.”

Gomes was speaking at a Football Rebooted event, organised by the EFL and Utilita, which aims to reduce waste and ensure a million pairs of boots do not end up in landfill by distributing them to young players who need them.

Gethin Jones and Paris Maghoma also joined in at the Football Festival, which put on an afternoon of fun and games.

“I think it is a fantastic project,” Gomes said. “With my background it wasn’t always easy to have a pair of boots, with my family being so big and there being more important things.

“It is a great project for the kids and for families who might not have the financial positives to buy boots.

“I remember myself when I was a kid meeting first team players. It meant a lot and it creates memories that stick with you.”