Will Forrester on Bolton Wanderers form and January decision

The defender has impressed since the new head coach took charge, seizing the opportunity while Ricardo Santos has been out injured.

Forrester loves playing for Bolton but admitted he considered his options when minutes were harder to come by during the first half of the season.

“I’ve had it really tough, to be fair,” he told the club’s matchday programme ahead of the Stockport game.

“Fans don’t usually see the other side of the game but it’s hard mentally, really hard. I think that’s probably one of my strongest points now, my mentality and keeping my head when maybe I’m a little bit frustrated.

“Football is a crazy sport, it changes like the wind. So I think that’s an important thing when you’re not playing, to keep your head strong because you never know what’s going to happen.

“I was potentially looking at leaving, for myself really. I love everything at the club, everyone at the club, but sometimes you have to be selfish in this sport. I wanted to go and play games and show that I can do it.”

The 23-year-old has a close friendship with Aaron Morley and was in regular contact with the midfielder while he was on loan at Wycombe during the first half of the campaign.

“I think everyone knows me and Azza are really tight and everyone always banters us for it. I spoke to him pretty much every day. I did miss him, but don’t tell him that,” he joked.

“He was talking about the different training and playing every week, and I was a bit jealous and annoyed at him really because I wanted the same thing for myself.

“I did very nearly go in January, but the new manager came in and I started to play games. If I’m playing, there’s no place better than Bolton Wanderers, I don’t think.”

Forrester has made eight starts since Schumacher’s arrival at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in January.

“He’s been brilliant with me and believed in me,” the centre-back continued. “He’s let met go out there and showcase what I can do.

“Hopefully, I can replay him and keep performing well by keeping my head down and working hard.

“Before, I’d get an injury and think I’m not going to get anywhere near the team again. But I think he’s shown that belief in me that when I do come back, I’m still in his plans.

“My performances have definitely given him something to think about, which is good to know really.

“It gives you that little bit of reassurance and belief that I am going to come back and hopefully play a part.”

The Whites are a point outside the play-off places heading into the business stage of the campaign and Forrester is determined to keep getting points on the board.

“There’s loads of football left and scores that you don’t expect happen all the time,” he insisted.

“We just need to keep taking it game by game, getting the points on the board and getting ourselves in there.

“I think there’s a lot of teams that still have to play each other. We’ve just got to keep churning out the wins.”