CARLOS Mendes Gomes has no doubt he has joined a club capable of taking him back to the Championship.

After sampling League One as a loan player at Fleetwood Town last season, the versatile attacker fancies his chances of helping Ian Evatt’s side make the step up to the top two.

Wanderers lead the early table on goal difference from Peterborough United and Stevenage after winning their first three games but face potentially their stiffest test so far on Saturday lunchtime with the visit of neighbouring Wigan Athletic.

Mendes Gomes, one of Evatt’s biggest transfer outlays of the summer, said his decision to sign for the Whites from Premier League-bound Luton Town was based on them having the tools capable of challenging for promotion.

“I knew my next move was going to be crucial. I wanted to be at a team where there is ambition and goals that are achievable,” he said.

“It is nothing crazy. We have got the squad to get promoted this season.

“Last year they went really close to doing that, so hopefully I can help the club get to that goal.

“I believe I am getting better day by day. I’m willing to learn and take in information.

“The gaffer is the right person for that, and I really believe there will be a lot of joy here.”

Mendes Gomes has been restricted to substitute appearances in the league so far but with Dion Charles’s suspension meaning a shake-up in attack, he could well get a chance to start against Wigan.

The 24-year-old reckons one of Bolton’s strengths this season will be the ability to rotate players without losing anything from the end product.

“I really love the environment,” he said. “The love I have been shown from the fans and how well the group has taken me, I’m really excited for the season ahead.

“There are not many clubs where someone can come into a team, or someone can go out, and there is no difference, really.”

Wanderers tried to sign Mendes Gomes in the summer of 2021, but he chose the Championship at Kenilworth Road after leaving Morecambe.

After finally getting his man, Evatt has been pleased with the way the former Atletico Madrid academy star has settled.

“He is getting used to what we want from him,” he said. “As with most new signings there is that period where you have to settle and you can see from the football he has played he is going to be a very important player for us this season.”