KIERAN Lee hasn’t courted the spotlight since arriving at Bolton Wanderers in January.

Happy to work away as a key cog in Ian Evatt’s midfield machine, the statistics have done the talking for the former Sheffield Wednesday man, who has been on the losing side just three times in 24 starts this year.

But after scoring twice and creating another in midweek at Charlton Athletic, Lee knew he was the man from which the fans wanted to hear.

It had been five years since the last – and only – time Lee had scored twice in a game.

“It was against Nottingham Forest, about 2016, is that right? A long time ago,” he answered, correctly.

It is also fair to say that the 33-year-old has not necessarily come across as a goalscoring midfielder since signing at the UniBol.

He netted a couple of times in last season’s late dart for promotion but this season his shooting boots appeared to have deserted him, save for one controversially disallowed goal at home to Burton Albion.

“Yeah, at Sheffield Wednesday I used to chip is with a few a season,” he said. “I got a couple here last year but I did have quite a few chances, in fairness, so it was great to get a couple.

“It was disappointing not to get the one against Burton but there’s not much I can say about that now, it was a tough one to get wiped off.”

Goalscoring issues aside, Lee has made a big impression on the Wanderers fans since adding a touch of class to Evatt’s midfield at the start of the year. Some have even gone as far as to dub him “Sexy Kieran” – a nickname he was more than happy to be reminded.

“I’d heard that one – I’ll take it,” he said.

“It feels like I made the right move at Bolton. Coming out of Sheffield Wednesday I had a few options but speaking to the manager, I’d assessed what I wanted to do. I felt like Bolton was a club on the up.

“Going down to League Two was obviously something I had to think hard about, but I also knew that Bolton weren’t a League Two club.

“I expected promotion to happen. And it feels like it is still rising, so that makes me feel I made the right choice.

“Winning promotion last season was brilliant, but we want to kick on again, get as high as we can.”

Leaving behind another set of fans who held him in high regard at Hillsborough, Lee hopes to foster the same sort of bond in the future with Bolton.

“The fans at Sheffield Wednesday were great, I had a good relationship with them,” he said.

“I think they understood that every time I went out on the pitch I’d give it everything I’d got.

“It’s one of the things I think fans appreciate.”

This season has not been plain sailing for Lee, with a couple of injury issues meaning he had to play catch-up at the start of the season.

Josh Sheehan’s addition has added another rival to the midfield ranks and the Welshman’s instant fine form meant Lee has had to be content with a place on the bench.

Tuesday night was only his second league start this term but frustration has not been an issue.

“Not playing has been tough but I know the lads who have been out there have been playing well and scoring goals, the team has been winning, so it isn’t like I am complaining and angry,” he said.

“I’m at the stage of my career where I can accept not playing every game and just focus on being ready – I am not one to moan.

“It’s one of them – you always want to play – but at the same time I know Josh and Sarce are good players, they are scoring goals as well, and the team has been playing well too.

“I am not really one to complain, I’ll get on with it, and then when I get a chance I’ll try and take it.”

Lee has been pleased with the way Wanderers have adapted to League One since promotion, even if he admits there should be a few more points on the board.

“You can see the standard is better than last year but I think it has within our squad as well,” he said. “Everyone we have played, barring Cambridge maybe, we feel like we could have come out with a win, so to feel you have been the better team in most games gives you a bit of confidence even if the result hasn’t always been the one you want.

“There are big clubs in this division and some tough games but we have always felt we are as good as anyone else. We are confident, and slowly and quietly we’ll try and move ourselves up and do what we can.”