LIAM Trotter is as determined as ever to overcome his injury curse and prove his worth to Wanderers fans and management alike.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been back in the treatment room in the past 10 days after picking up a thigh strain in the 4-1 defeat at Derby County.

It is just the latest in a succession of injury lay-offs he admits have made for a frustrating start to his fledgling Whites career.

But the former Ipswich and Millwall man is not about to let it get him down.

And he says it is just driving him on more to get back and he has reiterated his desire to show the fans what he is all about when he recovers from his latest setback.

Trotter told the club: "Unfortunately, due to one thing or another, it's just been a bit of a stop-start time for me at Bolton so far.

"There's been a few injuries which just keep setting me back.

"It always seems to keep happening whenever I get into my stride too which is massively frustrating.

"It's disappointing but ultimately it's all part and parcel of football.

"Frustrating is probably the best word to sum up my time at the club so far but I'm determined to bounce back and make my mark on the team.

"My main aim is just to show the manager what I am capable of and what I can bring to the team.

"I want to show the staff, my team-mates and the fans what I can offer and what I'm about as a player.

"Hopefully, I will be able to do that during the remainder of this season.

"I want to stake a claim for a place in the team and have every confidence in myself I can do that.

"I've not been involved as much as I'd have liked this season and I see it as a challenge for me to better myself as a player and force my way into the team.

"There is a lot of competition, particularly in midfield but I'm determined to give my all to the manager to prove why I should be starting ahead of the rest.

"We've got a lot of really good midfielders and, generally, really good players at the club.

"It's never going to be easy but that's football and it makes sure you always give 100 per cent."

Trotter has played just 15 times this season after a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign curtailed his progress following his permanent move from Millwall last summer.

Ten of those have come under boss Neil Lennon with half being from the start.

And Trotter is confident the team is on the right path with the Northern Irishman at the helm.

He just wants to show Lennon he can play his part going forward.

Trotter added: "I've got two-and-a-half years left on my contract and I'm keen to make the most of that.

"I've just got to keep myself fit and hopefully everything else will fall into place.

"Every manager has a different approach – they have their own ideas and their own ways.

"The new manager has come in and the team has really responded under him and kicked on.

"We've managed to climb away from the relegation zone in the process but we're under no illusions as to what could happen if we relaxed.

"This league can be very unforgiving and until we are mathematically away from the bottom three, we'll always be looking over our shoulders.

"That said, though, there is only one way that we're really looking and that is up the table.

"If we put a run of results together there is no saying what could happen."

The first aim for Trotter is a return to full fitness – then he wants to get in the team and get among the goals.

His strike from the bench in last month's defeat at Rotherham was just his second for the Whites after his first last season – a stunner at Sheffield Wednesday that won the club's goal-of-the-season award.

Trotter was delighted but hopes there are plenty more goals to come once he returns.

He said: "After the way last season panned out with my injuries and not making it into the team as much as I would have liked, it was great to end the campaign on a high with my goal against Sheffield Wednesday.

"The fact it won the club's goal-of-the-season award was personally really pleasing for me.

"It made me feel as though the fans were pleased with my efforts.

"It was a special moment for myself and hopefully I'll be able to add a few more goals for Bolton.

"I've always tried to find the back of the net wherever I've been – it's something I've always made an effort to add to my personal game.

"Even though I've probably played a bit of a different role during my time at Bolton so far in terms of being a bit more defensive minded, I'm still keen to push forward as and when I get the chance to do so and, with any luck, I can get a few more goals under my belt.

"For me, though, the main thing I need to do first is keep fit and force my way into the team."