Owen Beck admits it took a while to get “up to speed” at Wanderers - but is now aiming to become a regular starter.

The 20-year-old joined on loan from Liverpool over the summer following a difficult loan spell in Portugal.

Beck has started the Whites’ last couple of league games and is keen to get more minutes under his belt over the coming weeks and months.

“I need to perform and show the gaffer, the fans and whoever is watching what I can do,” he said.

“I feel like playing week in, week out does do your confidence a lot of good. Learning is the main thing.

“Coming on loan as a young lad is hard. You don’t realise how hard the step is to come into men’s football and get the game time you want.

“But now I’ve started my first game, I’ve just got to keep pushing and doing all I can for the team. I can’t wait to try and get in the team week in, week out and play as many games as I can.”

Ian Evatt’s men are currently fifth in the League One table following Friday night’s 1-1 draw against Bristol Rovers, and Beck is keen to build momentum heading into the busy Christmas period.

“We’ve got a great squad so hopefully we can go for promotion,” the youngster added. “It’s not going to be perfect the whole way through the season for any team.

“I think we’ve shown we have started to come out the other side now and we’ll be back to our best soon.

“I feel it’s a perfect time to get to our best. It’s a busy Christmas period and hopefully we can keep picking up points.”

Beck’s first league start came in the 2-1 victory at Fleetwood last month, and the Welshman admits it was a different challenge to what he is used to at Liverpool.

“When I first came it took a while for me to get up to speed, but now I’ve played a few games and got my first start in the league at Fleetwood,” he said.

“It’s time to push on now and keep progressing and keep getting the most out of the loan that I can.

“I was buzzing that we won that, it was a tough game. We knew they would play long onto my side so it was a bit of a different game to what I’ve been used to at Liverpool. But it was good to get the three points and for me to show some character.

“After the game I was harsh on myself. It kept coming to me that I should have scored, but now I’m just thinking that I was in the right position and if I keep getting in the right positions, I’m going to score.”

The 20-year-old is one of several youngsters on loan at Wanderers this season, along with James Trafford and Liverpool team-mate Conor Bradley.

Beck says there is a strong bond between the Bolton squad and is grateful for the advice he has received from some of the more experienced players.

“I feel that’s what you want to get out of it as a player and club. The experience of playing in the league really does help you progress as a player,” he added.

“Me, Con and Traff are all at Premier League clubs but while we’re here, we all need to show what we can do and show we can play in this league.

“For a loan to be successful, you have to buy into it and concentrate on what the gameplan is.

“It’s a great group of young lads and the whole squad gets on. I feel the more experienced ones do a good job speaking to the younger ones and giving information. It’s a great squad and we all bond well.”

Beck has also represented Wales at Under-21 level, most recently in a 2-0 defeat against Austria in Vienna.

The wing-back has ambitions of one day making the senior squad and believes Rob Page’s side are heading in the right direction despite their recent World Cup exit.

“It’s great just to qualify,” he explained. “We hadn’t done that for many years and just to be in it shows that we are progressing and getting better.

“Every camp I go to, I just do my best and give it my all. And if the chance comes to go with the senior team then hopefully, I’ll take my chance.

“Once it’s happened once, you believe in yourself and hopefully we can carry this on now. Being young and progressing, I feel like I can hopefully be there one day.”