MAX Clayton believes he has returned to Wanderers as a “different player” following nine months on the sidelines.

The former Crewe striker finds himself starting all over again at the Macron after an impressive introduction to life at Bolton was cut cruelly short by a serious knee injury last December.

Making his first start since recovering from surgery, the 21-year-old cut a more physical specimen and admits he has returned to action “faster, stronger and heavier” than before.

The youngster slipped into the creative void left by the injured Zach Clough effortlessly against Brighton, much to the delight of manager Neil Lennon.

And he believes he has timed his comeback to perfection, feeling physically and mentally ready to play a major role in Wanderers’ season.

“The main thing when you injure yourself is making sure you time it right when you come back,” he told The Bolton News. “The staff have really looked after me and I felt brilliant out there.

“I want to come back better than before. And I feel like I can.

“It has been a long nine months but I feel like I have ticked every box. I can’t wait to play next week now.”

Had it not been for David Stockdale’s heroics in the Brighton goal, Clayton would have had a goal to show for his impressive return.

But in the end he was more than happy to see Gary Madine grab the headlines with his first Bolton goal deep in stoppage time to earn a point.

“The script was almost perfect – and I’m absolutely thrilled that Gary Madine has got off the mark,” he said. “If he’d scored on the opening day of the season you’d be looking at a completely different player. He’s really deserved it because he’s a top pro.

“With a bit of different luck our season could have been very different. Gaz hit the bar a couple of times on the opening day of the season but if we win that game the landscape looks the complete opposite.

“There have been a couple of bad performances, like Middlesbrough and last weekend at Huddersfield, but from what I can gather we have been in every other game, just having no luck.

“Hopefully we can start taking the Championship by storm now.”

It has been a long journey back for Clayton, who ruptured his cruciate ligament in a 0-0 draw against Ipswich just before Christmas.

Through long days spent in the gym he has day-dreamed about a first-team return and thanked the Wanderers fans for their support along the way.

“It means everything because there are a lot of dark days along the road, especially in the summer coming in when the boys are on their holidays,” he said. “It’s tough but it was totally worth it because I feel like I’m a better player for it and I think there is more to come.

“Once I’m fully firing, I think me and Gaz could be a good partnership.

“Before I got injured I only started five or six games but I felt like I made an impression. Hopefully now I can get back and have an injury free season – that’s the plan.

“I’m mentally ready now. I blocked the injury out.

“My aim is to play as many games as I can. The gaffer has been brilliant with me since he signed here. He fills me full of confidence.

“Mark Leather and Steve Megson have looked after my knee so well – I don’t even think about it now. I just have to make sure I do all my re-hab, nurse it like a baby, and I should be absolutely clear.”