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Nat Ogbeta says his focus is on trying to secure automatic promotion for Wanderers and not his future with Swansea City in the Championship.
The wing-back has been a success in his time so far with Bolton, claiming two goals and three assists in his 14 appearances thus far.
But the former Manchester City youth product does not know where his future lies in South Wales, where his current deal expires in the summer.
Ogbeta’s time at Swansea has been hampered by a serious injury picked up whilst on loan with Peterborough United last season – and he is only now starting to feel his way back to top form and fitness, with Bolton’s help.
Asked about his situation with the Swans, Ogbeta told The Bolton News: “There hasn’t been much said, to be fair, I have just been trying to concentrate on my football and my agent is usually the one who usually deals with what is going on.
“I have been focussed on what is happening here and pushing for automatic promotion.
“I have obviously been keeping tabs on how they have been doing, seeing the system, what has been going on but for me, I have been so happy coming here and so grateful to the gaffer for giving me the opportunity. I’m grateful to God that I have been able to recover from my injury and feel the way I feel, I am not concerned about my quad, and that is the most important thing.
“My contract is running up at Swansea but I am excited to see what the future holds. Just being here has been such a catalyst. You have down times with injuries but there are always better times ahead and I feel like I am experiencing that now being able to experience such a great team, great support, great staff and players, I am really enjoying my football at the moment.”
Ogbeta played 20 times for Peterborough in League One last season and had been hoping to help them into the Championship until he suffered a torn quadricep in a game against Bristol Rovers last April.
Meanwhile, Russell Martin, Michael Duff and now Luke Williams have occupied the manager’s hotseat at the Liberty Stadium, which has left Ogbeta seeking some stability.
Thankfully, his gradual introduction at Bolton has helped restore some confidence in his fitness and leave him optimistic about the conclusion to the campaign.
“There are always positives to negative things and since the injury is feels like that time has been key for understanding what my body needs, when I need it,” he said.
“I feel better prepared now for these games and these moments. It is amazing to get an opportunity to play in this because there are no guarantees in life, no guarantees in football. This game can be cutthroat at times.
“But that is why I am grateful to the gaffer for giving me the chance to play for Bolton Wanderers and grateful to the team for making me feel comfortable, especially in moments where I have been tired and struggling to get my fitness. The boys have pushed me and got me over the line, you can’t ask any more than that as a player coming back from injury.”
Ogbeta takes on another club which has been instrumental in his football career on Tuesday night.
In two seasons at Shrewsbury he played his first 55 senior games and became a fans’ favourite in Shropshire, working closely with ex-Wanderers survival hero – and former Shrews assistant boss - Aaron Wilbraham.
Ogbeta still has deep affection for the club which gave him a big break after his release at Manchester City in 2021.
“That is where I got my first professional game, my first professional goal, and honestly, it is crazy that it feels so long ago,” he said.
“It was Covid and Steve Cotterill gave me the opportunity to play, it was relentless because I’d gone from playing academy football and then straight into men’s football where the philosophy is all about results, it was incredible.
“There were great people at Shrewsbury. They gave me the chance to show what I can do and before, at City, I’d played as a centre-back. When I went there they allowed me to express myself and I feel like that is something that has really helped me.
“That starting point has been really pivotal when you are playing in an attacking system like this one.
“But it’s all in the past now, the game is the game, and I’ll be looking to win.”
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