Chris Basham is determined to force his way into the starting XI at Bolton after penning a new deal.
Trotters midfielder now wants to force his way into first XI
Chris Basham is determined to force his way into the starting XI at Bolton after signing a new two-and-a-half year contract with the club.
The midfielder made his debut for the Trotters 12-months ago as a last minute replacement for Johan Elmander in the 4-1 win at Sunderland.
Since then the 21-year-old has made 17 appearances under manager Gary Megson, five of them starts, including a scoring outing in the 4-3 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.
Basham has come a long way in his time at The Reebok and is determined to earn another deal when his new contract expires in 2012.
"I'm happy that I have signed a new deal and I hope that this contract is just the beginning of a long career with the club," he told the club's
official website.
"It will take me up until I'm 24-years-old and hopefully I can mature even more as a footballer in that time.
"It has been a very good and exciting last 12 months when I look back. I made my debut against Sunderland, my hometown team, and I have gone on to play at the Emirates Stadium, Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.
"I'm thankful to the manager for giving me the chance and I have enjoyed every minute with the coaching staff and my team-mates.
"My main aim is to go on to achieve bigger and better things with the football club. I want to try and establish myself within the team and build on the start that I have made."
Megson added that Basham had earned the new deal: "Chris deserves his new contract - he is a young lad and it reflects that he is doing well.
"He works hard on his game and he acknowledges that he can't rest on his laurels."
