LUKE Southwood is poised to return to training at Wanderers to begin building his case to challenge Nathan Baxter for the number one spot.

The former Cheltenham Town goalkeeper will continue work with coach Matt Gilks this morning and hopes to progress to full duties at Lostock next week.

Southwood broke his fibula playing for the Robins against Stevenage on the final day of last season but is now relishing the chance to show his new club what he can do.

“It was a nightmare end to a season that had I really enjoyed on a personal level, it was a freak injury and probably the first one I’ve ever had,” he told The Bolton News. “The timing (of the injury) was awful but on the flip side it did mean I didn’t miss any football.

“I really enjoyed my time at Cheltenham, even though it didn’t end the way we wanted. I think I improved a lot from my time there and I feel ready to push on.

“Thankfully, it was a clean break and they have put a plate next to it to stabilise everything, so seven or eight weeks of healing meant I didn’t miss any games. The only downside is that I have not been able to come straight in at Bolton and show the lads and the manager what I am about.

“Hopefully now in the next couple of weeks I’ll be able to do that.

“My aim is to play in friendlies. I feel good to go, but I’ll go off what Baz (Matt Barrass) and the other physios tell me. I am sure it will be a process to build to that point but I want to get minutes in before the season starts.”

Southwood had been first choice at Cheltenham for the last two seasons but now joins a goalkeeping roster that includes Baxter, Joel Coleman and Luke Hutchinson, all vying for game time.

The Northern Ireland international is not fazed by the prospect.

“It’s the life of a goalie, all three of us want to be playing, but it’s about pushing each other,” he said. “For me the challenge is to make a good impression, hit the ground running, get my chance in the team and hopefully keep my spot. Basically, it’s train as hard as you can Monday to Friday and push as hard as I can, make sure whoever is playing on a Saturday you support them, or that you get that support back.”

Although Southwood has not been able to train at his maximum, he has enjoyed his early days with Bolton, which began with a team trip to Portugal.

“It is probably the easiest transition to a new club that I have ever had – everything from the a great group of lads, the staff, it has all been so welcoming and easy,” he added.

“Portugal was the perfect start for me, really, and there was probably not one person in the squad that I didn’t get round, sit down and talk to in the end.

“It’s a bit like speed-dating. With football you always have friends who know friends, there’s always a link, so that makes it easier. And you have the games you’ve played against each other as well.”