Ricardo Santos says Wanderers must channel their play-off pain into “motivation and hunger” heading into the new season.

The Wembley defeat against Oxford was tough to take but the skipper insists the Whites are refusing to dwell on the past.

Santos is confident the squad is in a good place as they prepare to kick off against Leyton Orient and hopes to hit the ground running.

“That was important for me and the team, to try to get away (in the summer) and not think about football,” he told The Bolton News.

“You don’t want to go into the season thinking about the last, I think that will throw you off your game.

“But you also want to have it in the back of your mind and make that pain into motivation and hunger. Hopefully, the boys have done that.”

Wanderers had some tough tests in pre-season against Championship and European opposition, and Santos reckons it will stand them in good stead for the new league campaign.

“Since I have been here, we have been progressing and improving every year,” he added.

“Obviously, it wasn’t the finish we wanted to have last year but it was progression again. This year, we are just trying to do better and finish higher than last time.

“I am seeing lots of good signs from the boys, they look fit and you can see our patters coming out in the games.

“The sides we played were tough and I think that is better for us, you don’t want to just play easy games that you are expected to win.

“In pre-season you want to play tough games where they will give you a challenge. It was good for us and I am seeing lots of good signs. Hopefully, we can take it into Saturday.”

The Bolton squad has evolved again this summer and Scott Arfield brings a wealth of experience to the group.

The versatile midfielder has played in the highest level and even captained Canada on the international stage.

Santos says Arfield has already had a big impact in the changing room and believes his experience could be key in the coming weeks and months.

“From day one, he has come in and every meeting we have, he is talking and adding his points,” the towering defender explained.

“He helps us a lot and also his character around the changing room, he is a funny guy.

“That will help the boys take their minds off last year, he has been a good addition to the squad and with his experience, I know he will help us.”

Attention now turns to Orient as the Whites aim to make a winning start in the league, and Santos is relishing the challenge.

“I realised quickly that with every striker in League One, it’s a battle,” he grinned. “It should be a good game, I am ready for Saturday.”