Dale Eve is in danger of letting his talent go to waste unless he improves his attitude, says Ilkeston manager Shaun Goater.

Goater has no doubt that Eve has the ability to play at a much higher level than non-League but believes the Bermuda goalkeeper’s questionable temperament is holding him back.

Eve joined the Derbyshire club in January, a month before Goater, and produced several man-of-the-match displays during the end-of-season run-in as Ilkeston were relegated.

“Dale is hot-headed, that’s what will stop him,” said Goater, who is unsure of his own future with cash-stricken Ilkeston in takeover talks.

“It’s not his ability, he’s able to play at a higher level, but there’s a reason why he’s at Ilkeston.

“If he works on that side of his game he can go a lot further. His problem isn’t on the pitch, it’s in his head with his attitude.”

Eve had a brief spell at Dandy Town Hornets last season before joining Ilkeston as he looked to reignite his career after being released by Premier League side Stoke City.

Before returning home, Eve signed a short-term deal at Vanarama National League side Forest Green Rovers, where he had previously had a loan spell, but asked to leave as he was frustrated at his lack of playing time.

Goater believes the 22-year-old only has himself to blame for his descent down the football pyramid and must act swiftly to turn things around.

“Dale is where he is because of other things and if he doesn’t recognise that he will soon be 26 and time will have passed him by,” Goater said.

“He should be even more motivated than most because he’s seen the other side of things when he was at Stoke.

“He’s somewhat lived the life and should see this as a passing phase.

“He should be thinking, ‘I’m only here for a short time as I look to get to the next level’.”

Eve made himself unavailable for Bermuda’s Caribbean Cup decider away to French Guiana last summer because he felt the trip was a “fool’s errand” in the absence of many key players.

Bermuda needed a victory to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the third round of the competition, but came unstuck and were beaten 3-0.

Eve immediately came in for criticism from coach Andrew Bascome after photographs emerged on Twitter of him attending the Bermuda Heroes Weekend Carnival.

Goater has several other Bermudian players at Ilkeston — who will play in the eighth tier of English football next season — with Danté Leverock, Tevahn Tyrell and Jaylon Bather all looking to climb the ranks.

Leverock has particularly impressed Goater since he arrived at the New Manor Ground, believing the defender “ticks a lot of boxes” and could get spotted by a bigger club.

The 25-year-old moved to Ilkeston in February after turning down a new deal at Harrisburg City Islanders where he spent two seasons in the Eastern Conference of the United Soccer League.

“I think Danté has a future,” Goater said. “His attitude is brilliant and I think he will go on and do well.

“He just turned 25 and he hasn’t got a lot of time.

“I think someone will give him a chance and he could get spotted.”