Eoin Toal has revealed how his desire to play European football has hampered his first few months at Bolton Wanderers.

The big centre-half completed his first 90 minutes for the club last week, featuring in a 3-2 win against Barrow in the Papa Johns Trophy.

Toal had previously been named on the bench in League One and has impressed Ian Evatt and his staff with the progress he has made since signing from Derry City in August.

His lack of games, however, can be traced back to his involvement in the Europa Conference League and a two-legged game against Latvian side Riga.

Keen to play in Europe and help Derry qualify, Toal had played with the ankle problem for several weeks, which had a knock on effect after agreeing a move to England.

“In hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have played through the injury but I wanted to give everything I could,” he explained.

“It was hard because it was Europe, and for Derry at the time they were massive games. I knew I wasn’t 100 per cent fit but I wanted to play. We went abroad and just thought I couldn’t give up the opportunity.  

“I’d been in squads before a couple of years earlier but hadn’t played, so I wanted to give it my all.”

Toal is now pain free and thankful to the Bolton medical team for helping him get quickly back into action. 

The Northern Irishman said the injury was never likely to affect the move to Bolton – but he now feels in a position to show fans what he can do.

“When Bolton were calling, and I knew it wouldn’t be easy to just walk into the team,” he said. “I knew there would be competition for places and that it would be hard.   

“The things that benefits me is that the coaches are all ex-defenders, so they have been able to pass on loads of information to me.  

“I came here and the physio staff have been brilliant, took time, and even though I have only played three games – which isn’t ideal – maybe I needed time with the training here, so I have been plugging away.”

Toal is yet to sample League One football but he has sampled the matchday atmosphere at the University of Bolton Stadium and is looking forward to getting a chance to play in front of the fans.

“They are a great support – one of the biggest in League One,” he said. 

“Growing up they were Premier League, a massive club, and the fanbase looks like a great one to play for.”  

Toal has also taken some notes from team-mate and captain, Ricardo Santos, who he believes is one of the top defenders in the division.

“I rate him really highly,” he said. “Since I came to England and watched all the League One games I think he has been the best.”  

Toal made 155 appearances for Derry before sealing his move to Bolton, having made his first team debut at the age of 16.

The League of Ireland has produced a crop of young players in the last few years, several of which are now playing regularly in League One.

Wanderers intend to continue scouting the country and have former striker Eoin Doyle working with the recruitment department to give recommendations.

Toal believes it is a league worth keeping an eye on.

“There were a lot of players who came across in the summer, people like Danny Mandriou (Lincoln City), and I think there is a lot of talent still there at the moment,” he said.  

“It is a young league, young players, and most of the clubs are full time, so it is definitely a good stepping stone for anyone.”  

Ian Evatt has been happy with the progress Toal has made since recovering from his ankle issues.  

“He has been doing really well, we’re really pleased with him,” he said. “He has surprised me how quickly he’s been able to pick things up and take things on board because it’s a huge jump in levels from where he came from.”

Toal played on the right side of the back three on Tuesday night, putting in a display which impressed his manager.

“It was really pleasing,” Evatt said. “I know Patrick Brough, their left-back, and I know he’s pretty quick, so to see Eoin put the jets on like he did first half and catch him up was a good thing, a lovely sight.  

“If defenders have those attributes like Rico does, they can be really challenging and difficult to play against. I thought it was a good performance. 

“He can play all across the back three. He’s good with the ball, he’s intelligent with the ball, he’s physical and he’s really quick. We’re happy with what we’ve got.”