WANDERERS might not see the best of Aaron Collins until next season.

The January recruit has made just two starts since his move from Bristol Rovers with the majority of his appearances coming off the bench.

Ian Evatt believes the Welsh striker can impact Bolton’s promotion hopes but believes he will only fully realise his potential with a pre-season behind him and more time on the training ground.

Wanderers’ hectic fixture schedule has limited the amount of work Evatt has been able to do with his squad in recent weeks but he has already seen positive signs that Collins will prove his worth.

“I said when we signed Aaron that this is not a short-term signing, this is one for long term,” he said. “This was a great opportunity to bring him in and I think we will see the biggest benefit of that next season.

“Of course, we need him to play his part this season, but it is completely different what we do here compared to what he had been used to at Bristol Rovers.

“He doesn’t need the unnecessary pressure. All of the players we have signed have improved for the second season after a pre-season and I would expect that to be the case with Aaron.

“For now, as much as we need can, get him up to speed. With the way the fixture list is, it is challenging to get time on the grass, get the coaching detail into him.

“Once we do, I think we will see him fly. He is a really talented player, a good person, he has fit into the group really well, but at the moment he is still in that integration period.”

Carlos Mendes Gomes has pushed his way to a regular start since returning from international duty with Guinea Bissau at the African Cup of Nations.

The former Luton Town man – also signed for a six-figure cash fee in the summer – has now settled and taken on board the information Evatt feels is needed to thrive in the team.

“It is no surprise to me – Carlos is a really good player and we have tracked him for a long time,” he said. “He has had a disrupted start to his life here because of a pretty significant injury and then going away to AFCON.

“He is fully up to speed now with what we need, what we require.”