GREENOCK born footballer Jack Iredale says he faces the biggest pre-season of his career has he looks to help Bolton Wanderers get over their play-off heartache and mount another promotion charge.

The former Morton left back, who joined the University of Bolton Stadium side last year, was a mainstay in Lancashire for the first six months of the season before disaster struck and he tore his meniscus.

After just missing out on making their League One play-off semi final against Barnsley, Iredale is keen to look on the bright side and hopes he's given himself the best chance of a clean slate when next season starts.

He told the Tele: "I might not have been able to make it back to help the boys against Barnsley but I've given myself the best opportunity to be ready to go for next season.

"It's been a difficult six months, because I felt as if I was just beginning to hit my stride and put performances together. So when the injury came it was at a really tough time.

"So this is going to be a really really big off season for me, I'll need to prove that I can still perform at the level I was before I got injured and I'll need to get myself sharp again after such a long time out.

"But it'll be a case of seeing where we are and then getting back on the bike and going again, I can't wait to be back out there."

Iredale feels he his career has come a long way since leaving Morton in 2019, after his side reached the final of the Papa John's Trophy this year.

He said: "Morton gave me my first real opportunity in professional football, I'll always be grateful for the two years that I had at the club.

"I always set myself high targets in football, and to be honest walking out at Wembley or even being a part of a team to play at Wembley wasn't one of those goals, but when the opportunity comes up like it did, you don't pass it up.

"So to have been involved in a team that's done that, had the potential to do it a second time in a season and with a club as big as Bolton, is ridiculous.

"It's a bit of a pinch yourself moment because growing up they were such a massive Premiership team with Big Sam Allardyce and Jay Jay Okocha and the like. They've gone through their tough times and now they're on the comeback trail.

"I just hope I'm able to be a part of it and can continue to help them on their journey."