JAY Spearing has revealed how the Wanderers dressing room rallied behind new boy Liam Trotter to help him win over the terrace boo-boys.

Now confirmed as Dougie Freedman’s second signing of the summer, the Millwall midfielder will officially complete his move from The Den on July 1, signing a three-year deal.

Trotter got off on the wrong foot with a section of Whites supporters, which made for a difficult integration in his first couple of months on loan from the Lions.

But Spearing, pictured below, told The Bolton News how a little encouragement from the established Wanderers stars helped the 25-year-old to finish the season strongly.

“It has been tough for him,” said the Bolton skipper, referring to the difficulties Trotter had with travelling fans at Huddersfield Town and Doncaster Rovers.

“He was learning the way the gaffer wanted him to play.

“He had come into a new team and didn’t really know how we were set up.

“No offence meant to Millwall but this team wants to play football and push on, get ourselves into the Premier League.

“He has had to push on and slowly he’s getting there.

“We’ve all persuaded and helped him to get to where he wants to be.

“And I think he’s getting there.”

Trotter impressed in a deep-lying midfield role alongside Spearing after playing some of his early games in a more attacking position.

And the diminutive club captain believes the little and large combination can work again next season, with Trotter seen by some as an alternative to Medo Kamara.

“Sometimes you need to have someone in there who has got a bit more height and strength than I have, especially away from home,” Spearing said.

“He puts himself about, gets his challenges in and I think he’s settling.”

Trotter had no shortage of experience before joining Wanderers, having spent four years at Millwall, making 138 appearances and scoring 24 goals.