DORIAN Dervite has quickly settled into life at Wanderers and already feels like he belongs at the club.

While things did not work out for another summer signing with Andy Robinson seeing his contract terminated after feeling homesick for Southampton, Frenchman Dervite has taken to his new team like duck to water.

The former Tottenham man has figured in all four pre-season friendlies to date, three on the Scandinavian tour and then again at Macclesfield in Friday’s 1-1 draw.

And while he admits the training has been tough so far, he knows it is vital to be ready for the big Championship kick off at Watford on August 9.

Dervite told The Bolton News: “The 10 days away was full of very intense training but it was good for me as a new player to get to know all the lads.

“I get on well with everyone at the club so I am happy so far and happy to be at Bolton.

“Macclesfield pressed quite high on Friday so it was a good exercise for us.

“We were a bit tired after traveling back on Thursday and not getting back until 10pm.

“At the start of the game it was difficult and the weather was quite hot as well.

“But as the game went on we did better.

“The main thing is to be ready for a full 90 minutes when the league starts next month “The lads are coming close to that and we will keep working over the next few weeks.”

Dervite’s arrival increases the competition for places at the heart of the Whites defence with Matt Mills, Tim Ream and David Wheater also challenging for a starting spot.

The new arrival is relishing the competition for places, however, and says it shows the ambition of the club to have four talented defenders battling it out for two places.

Dervite has certainly not done his cause any harm with his pre-season displays, particularly on Friday when, aged just 25 himself, he was the oldest member of a back four which also included Joe Riley, Oscar Threlkeld and Cian Bolger.

He added: “I was the oldest player in the defence on Friday but it is not new for me – it happened a few times last year at Charlton. It is no problem for me.

“There is good competition in defence – it shows the ambition of the club.

“There are four centre-backs, including me, who are all ready to play, so it can only be good for the club.”

While there is heathy competition for defensive places, Dervite is not planning to compete with his team-mates on the facial hair front.

All three of Ream, Mills and Wheater have been sporting lengthy beards in recent months but Dervite will not be following suit.

He added: “At my old club a few players had beards like that but I think I will stay as I am and not copy the rest of the defenders here.”