JACK Hobbs wants to leave money talk in the past – but acknowledges a debt he owes to Bolton Wanderers.

The Whites defender felt his career went off-track at his former club Nottingham Forest, as a back injury left him playing just 15 games in 18 months.

With the help of Wanderers’ medical staff he became a first team regular last season, albeit in difficult circumstances as the club dropped out of the Championship and into administration.

Hobbs, who signed a one-year deal in time to play against Gillingham last time out, says he had no second thoughts about re-signing.

“Before I came to Bolton last year I’d struggled with injuries but the staff here looked after me well and I got a lot more games, I was certainly available for the majority,” he told The Bolton News. “I felt I owed them for standing by me and working with me.

“At this stage of my career it’s about playing. I want to be out there as often as I can, so it was quite an easy decision to make in the end.

“I understand where we’re at as a club and I know it will be tough. It’s a huge challenge.

“But I am going to try and embrace it and do the best that I can do, personally. Influence as much as I can do.”

Wanderers effectively start afresh at Rotherham on Saturday, with new owners, manager and a vastly changed squad. Hobbs feels the arrival of new faces in the boardroom instantly gave the club a more settled feel.

“You sense straight away that it was better,” he said. “Personally, I’m looking forward to this new phase at the club and moving on to bigger and better things. It has been tough in the past, that goes without saying, but with new owners in now we can bring the squad together.

“It’s a big challenge when you look at the table but at the same time It’s an opportunity.

“There’s a chance to do something special in a new era. It’s something we can all work towards.”

Wanderers also have a huge points deficit, which currently stands at minus 11 but could be increased depending on when the EFL choose to enforce any punishment for the non-fulfilment of last season’s game against Brentford, or even this season’s postponed match against Doncaster Rovers.

Hobbs did not enjoy his first team return at Priestfield, a 5-0 defeat, but has wasted little time looking at the league table.

“There’s no point looking at the minus points thing, you just have to plough on and work through it,” he said. “If we can pull off a great escape, then it would be absolutely amazing.

“Everyone is working as hard as they can. When you go out like we did against Gillingham it hurts to concede five, it really does, but there isn’t any point dwelling on it.

“We know we have to start somewhere. And if this place gets back on an even keel you’ve seen what sort of backing the fans can give, it has been incredible. It would be nice to reward that with some points.”