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Zach Clough is a natural goalscorer who has the desire to make the grade as a Wanderers first-team regular.
That's the view of Whites under-18s coach David Lee who watched on with pride as the 19-year-old marked his full debut with the match-winning goal against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Clough's efforts at the weekend saw him rewarded with a new, improved contract until 2017 on Monday.
And while the Denton-youngster's name may have had national pundits talking about him for the first time, Lee has been aware of his potential from an early age, despite his diminutive build.
The former Wanderers winger told The Bolton News: "I worked with Zach from the under-12s right up to the u18s when we had that great run in the FA Youth Cup.
"In his last season for the U18s he scored something like 44 goals.
"He has always been a natural finisher and always had the desire and work ethic to succeed.
"He may be small for a striker but is brave, intelligent, has a big heart and is technically very good
"His progression has continued into the development squad and now into the first-team ranks and it was a proud moment to see him not only score the winner, but play so well on his senior debut against Wigan."
Lee admits it is early days for Clough at senior level and is not getting carried away but he knows the teenager has his feet on the floor and will also remain focused on working hard on the training ground.
He believes it is that approach that earned him his chance at the weekend and Lee has also paid tribute to the belief shown in the young forward by boss Neil Lennon.
Lee added: "Zach took his opportunity on Saturday and repaid that faith shown in him by Neil Lennon.
"It is always up to the players to take their chance and Zach did that.
"When you consider that Josh Vela is in there doing well and we have seen Oscar Threlkeld and Andy Kellett get a chance as well, it is a great pat on the back for the hard work that is done in nurturing players at the academy.
"Credit has to go to the football club for investing time in that and the fact we have a manager willing to play youngsters is a massive boost."
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That's the view of Whites under-18s coach David Lee who watched on with pride as the 19-year-old marked his full debut with the match-winning goal against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Clough's efforts at the weekend saw him rewarded with a new, improved contract until 2017 on Monday.
And while the Denton-youngster's name may have had national pundits talking about him for the first time, Lee has been aware of his potential from an early age, despite his diminutive build.
The former Wanderers winger told The Bolton News: "I worked with Zach from the under-12s right up to the u18s when we had that great run in the FA Youth Cup.
"In his last season for the U18s he scored something like 44 goals.
"He has always been a natural finisher and always had the desire and work ethic to succeed.
"He may be small for a striker but is brave, intelligent, has a big heart and is technically very good
"His progression has continued into the development squad and now into the first-team ranks and it was a proud moment to see him not only score the winner, but play so well on his senior debut against Wigan."
Lee admits it is early days for Clough at senior level and is not getting carried away but he knows the teenager has his feet on the floor and will also remain focused on working hard on the training ground.
He believes it is that approach that earned him his chance at the weekend and Lee has also paid tribute to the belief shown in the young forward by boss Neil Lennon.
Lee added: "Zach took his opportunity on Saturday and repaid that faith shown in him by Neil Lennon.
"It is always up to the players to take their chance and Zach did that.
"When you consider that Josh Vela is in there doing well and we have seen Oscar Threlkeld and Andy Kellett get a chance as well, it is a great pat on the back for the hard work that is done in nurturing players at the academy.
"Credit has to go to the football club for investing time in that and the fact we have a manager willing to play youngsters is a massive boost."
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