DERVITE GAMBLE PAYING OFF FOR BOLTON
DORIAN Dervite made a brave decision to turn down a move away from Bolton Wanderers in January, but the centre-back believes his gamble has paid off now he is back in the team.
The 28-year-old has struggled with a knee injury for several months and found the likes of Mark Beevers and David Wheater ahead of him in the pecking order – leaving him sat on the sidelines watching his contract wind down.
But Dervite, who spurned interest from Spain, Serbia and Belgium, is now back in the heart of Phil Parkinson’s defence and has high ambitions as Bolton attempt to return to the Championship at the first attempt.
“The manager said he was happy for me to stay and that, if I kept working hard, you never know a chance might just come along,” he said.
“I thought I’d be out of the squad for the rest of the season but the manager believed in me, gave me my chance, and I have to thank him for that.
“Now I am doing my best to stay in the team and keep winning. I’m playing and I hope that continues.
“It’s my last year and we will see what happens, but first of all I want to stay in the team and bring Bolton back to the Championship. It’s a big club and I think it belongs there.”
Dervite joined Bolton in 2014 and was there in the dark days of relegation, but he says it is a far more pleasant atmosphere this season.
He added: “The club is very different now.
“Everyone is happier to go training. The lads get on well with each other and with the staff.
“It is a good atmosphere now and we’re smiling again.”