KEITH Hill is out to rediscover the ‘real’ Will Buckley after offering him a new role at Wanderers.

The Bolton boss is convinced he can get more out of the former Rochdale and Brighton man as part of the three-pronged attack he has employed over the last couple of games.

Buckley spent two tough years at the UniBol under Phil Parkinson, where he was primarily used as a winger. He re-signed with Whites on transfer deadline day and after overcoming illness played up front against Oxford United on Tuesday night.

Hill was pleased with what he saw – but reckons there is plenty more to come.

“He has got to regain his confidence,” he told The Bolton News. “There is a smart player, an intelligent player in there.

“He is quick, as pace in and out of possession, he’s clever, and he’s got energy to burn.

“We want him to embrace the way he played for us when he first started out in the professional game and especially the way he played at Brighton. I think Liam Bridcutt being here is a good reminder to Will of how brilliant he was.

“We are just trying to re-establish him now because he’s 29, his game isn’t over.

“We want him to express himself, show that personality to the supporters so they can see the real Will Buckley. We know him but we are trying to reinvent him.

“And once we get our strikers fit there will be some very good options in there.”

Buckley may start up front against his former club Sunderland on Saturday with front men Daryl Murphy (calf) and Chris O’Grady (knee) still unavailable.

Thibaud Verlinden was also taken off as a precautionary measure on Tuesday night after feeling some tightness in his calf but should be fit to start the game.

Hill is confident he can get the best out of Buckley again by playing him in a system he feels reflects his strengths.

“We are demanding of our players, we are good with them, we support them, we protect them,” he said. “We want performances that reflect the heart that is beating under my chest and I think he will do because he has got bundles of talent in there.”