BEN Alnwick believes it is high time Wanderers put their days of Championship struggle behind them.

The 31-year-old keeper, who signed a new two-year deal on Wednesday, does not want to hear talk of another survival-first campaign.

Instead, Alnwick is hoping by the time Phil Parkinson’s team kick off on the first weekend of August more people will be talking optimistically about about Bolton’s chances.

“I think everyone at the club would have settled on staying up at the start of last season,” he told The Bolton News, “more so when you see the sort of start we got off to.

“But I think we have to move on now. A club of Bolton’s size shouldn’t just be talking about staying up or playing down there at the bottom of the division. I think it’s time to push on.

“There is no reason why we can’t do that. We have a good core here and the gaffer will be working hard to bring in new players. He’s big on researching their background, knowing what they are like as a person, and so I don’t think it will affect us much whoever he brings in. They will fit in.

“I think everyone needs to start looking forward and put the struggling behind us. I think we can have a right good go.”

Alnwick missed the post-match festivities against Forest after being selected for a drugs test, but added: “Mark Beevers’ stag do was a couple of weeks ago. I made up for it!”

Meanwhile, Wanderers have shelved plans to face Danish side Odense in pre-season in favour of a short trip to Scotland. Dates and opponents have yet to be confirmed by the club but speaking yesterday, Ken Anderson felt the decision to stay in the UK would be beneficial for Parkinson’s preparations.

“I’m a firm believer that clubs don’t always need to go overseas to get the right preparation,” he said. “Training camps abroad can provide distractions and don’t always offer the ideal conditions for what clubs can expect over the course of the season.”

An away friendly against National League North Guiseley has been scheduled for July 24, kick-off 7.45pm.