Dan Nlundulu is ready to rise to the challenge of keeping Wanderers in the top six.
Nlundulu made his full debut for the Whites on Saturday after signing on loan from Southampton for the remainder of the season.
The striker couldn’t prevent a first defeat in nine games for Ian Evatt’s men as the Rams secured a 2-1 win to extend their own unbeaten record to 18 games.
But the former Cheltenham Town loanee gave Derby to plenty to think about in an impressive first 45 minutes at Pride Park.
And having made the switch to Wanderers, Nlundulu is relishing the prospect of competing at the top end of League One as Wanderers aim to stay fixed in the play-off places.
“That’s why I came here. It’s such a huge club with such great ambition,” he said.
“For me as player right now, turning 24 soon, I felt this is a challenge I needed.
“Really and truly there’s a bit of pressure. We expect to perform and we expect to win. We want to get promoted.
“That’s the reason I came here, for that challenge, for that pressure and to test me as a player.
“Saturday was a bit disappointing. I thought we could have got more out of the game but I trust in the team, I trust in us. The only thing we can do now is react and get the three points on Tuesday.”
Wanderers remain fifth in the League One table and will look to launch another unbeaten run when they face bottom club Forest Green Rovers at the University of Bolton Stadium on Tuesday night.
Boss Ian Evatt believes Nlundulu will be an even bigger threat once he’s fully up to speed and capable of coping with the intensity of Wanderers’ pressing game for a full 90 minutes.
And the powerful frontman – who got through 73 minutes at Derby on Saturday before feeling some fatigue and a slight tightness in a hamstring – is hungry to make a major contribution as he goes hunting his first goal in a Wanderers’ shirt.
“I still feel I could have done better in key moments in the game on Saturday but it’s my second game and there were lots of positives to take. I’m just very excited for the future,” Nlundulu added.
“I’m looking forward to Tuesday. Whatever team the gaffer selects I just hope we get the three points.
“I’m here to score goals. I’m here to win and play well for the team.
“I’m looking forward to that first goal and hopefully it’s at home against Forest Green in front of the fans.
“They’re great fans. Derby is a big club as well and you could still hear our fans there.
“At home the welcome they gave me in my first game against Portsmouth was great and hopefully I can deliver for them.”