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Wigan sign Thomas at last

WIGAN have signed midfielder Hendry Thomas from Honduran club Deportivo Olimpia on a three-year contract, subject to international clearance.

The 24-year-old was due to join the club last summer but his move was turned down as he did not meet the work permit criteria because he had not played enough games for his country.

Martinez excited to be coming home

CHASING a dream took Roberto Martinez from the land of paella to the working class Lancashire town famed for its meat pies and mushy peas.

His love affair with Wigan started in 1995 when he was one of three footballing amigos persuaded by Dave Whelan to pack a suitcase and pull on a Latics shirt.

Valencia a real gem

FORMER United defender Steve Bruce reckons Sir Alex Ferguson has added another gem to United's diamond collection with Antonio Valencia.

The 23-year-old Ecuadorian completed his £16m move to Old Trafford from Wigan on Tuesday hoping to go some way to filling Cristiano Ronaldo's boots.

Martinez eyes x-factor

WIGAN manager Roberto Martinez believes unpredictability is the key to success next season.

Former boss Steve Bruce assembled a squad of hard-working professionals and added flair players like Antonio Valencia, but he is destined to depart this summer in a multi-million-pound transfer.

Zaki still holds Wigan hope

AMR Zaki wants to revive his Wigan career.

The Egyptian striker, who fell out with ex-boss Steve Bruce last season when continually returning home late from international duty, wants to stay at the DW Stadium.

Barrow heading for Latics

GRAHAM Barrow is in line for a surprise return to Wigan as part of Roberto Martinez's backroom staff.

Barrow, the current assistant manager at non-league Altrincham, is in line to become the new reserve team manager at Wigan.

Barrow was Wigan manager when Martinez joined from Spain as a player.

Latics sign Gomez

WIGAN manager Roberto Martinez has made his first signing as a Premier League boss after completing a deal to bring in midfielder Jordi Gomez from Espanyol.

The 24-year-old playmaker is well known to Martinez, who took him to Swansea on a year-long loan last season.

Scharner in demand

FULHAM are in a “strong” position to land Paul Scharner from Wigan, according to the player’s agent.

The 29-year-old Austrian is ready to quit the Latics this summer and had been linked with a £6million move to Craven Cottage as well as a move to Sunderland, to be reunited with former Wigan boss Steve Bruce.

Martinez won't block Valencia bid

UNITED’S attempts to lure Antonio Valencia from Wigan will not be blocked by new Wigan boss Roberto Martinez.

The Reds and Real Madrid have already lodged bids of £16m for the Ecuadorian winger. Wigan are now waiting for the two giants to make the next step and start official negotiations.

Latics face Villa opener

WIGAN open their 2009/2010 Premier League campaign against Aston Villa at home on August 15.

That game is followed by trips to Wolves and United before a home clash with Everton concludes the August programme. The Latics face Bolton at home on December 19 with the return game on March 13.

Wigan seal Martinez deal

ROBERTO Martinez is determined to keep the momentum going at Wigan after succeeding Steve Bruce as manager.

The Spaniard has signed a three-year contract following his protracted move from Swansea.

Wigan to unveil Martinez

WIGAN intend to unveil Roberto Martinez as their new manager as scheduled on Thursday even though the official announcement of his appointment has been delayed.

Chairman Dave Whelan planned to name the Spaniard as Steve Bruce’s successor this evening.

Wigan: Season player ratings

M.E.N. Sport's Wigan reporter Neil Barker gives his verdict on the Wigan players for their performance in the 2008/2009 season.

Pick Greater Manchester's player of the season

TODAY you, the fans, have the chance to select Greater Manchester's player of the season - a competition organised in association with sponsors flybe.com.

United's Real Valencia fight

UNITED are ready to go head to head with Real Madrid over Antonio Valencia. Both clubs are trying to sign the highly-rated Wigan winger, and are understood to have made bids in excess of £16m.

Sir Alex Ferguson has long been an admirer of the Ecuador international and always had him towards the top of his summer shopping list.

Whelan sets Martinez date

WIGAN chairman Dave Whelan expects to name Roberto Martinez as the club’s new manager on Wednesday.

Martinez, 35, is poised to leave Swansea and succeed Steve Bruce, who has moved to Sunderland.

Wigan set for Martinez talks

WIGAN have been given permission to speak to Roberto Martinez about their managerial vacancy after a compensation deal was agreed with Swansea.

The Latics have turned to the Swans boss - who was also a reported target of Celtic - after previous incumbent Steve Bruce was yesterday confirmed as the new manager of Sunderland.

Swans and Wigan 'miles apart' on Martinez

SWANSEA chairman Huw Jenkins has claimed the Swans and Wigan are "miles apart" on the valuation of manager Roberto Martinez.

Late on Tuesday Latics made an official approach to speak to Martinez, who returns from a short holiday on Wednesday. Steve Bruce has been confirmed as the new Sunderland boss.

Sunderland close on Bruce

WIGAN have confirmed they have agreed a compensation package with Sunderland for manager Steve Bruce and granted him permission to speak to the north-east club.

The former Manchester United defender is the Black Cats’ number one target to replace Ricky Sbragia, who resigned on the final day of the season after keeping the club in the Barclays Premier League.

Wigan set hearts on Fergie Jnr

WIGAN chairman Dave Whelan is poised to target Sir Alex Ferguson's son Darren to succeed Steve Bruce who now seems destined to become Sunderland's new boss.

Whelan has been greatly impressed with the way Ferguson has transformed the fortunes of Peterborough United.

Bruce decision looming

WIGAN chairman David Whelan has revealed he wants £3million compensation from Sunderland for manager Steve Bruce.

Whelan has given Bruce permission to talk to Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn and he expects a decision to be made by the end of Sunday. Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini claims he has been offered the chance to manage Sunderland.

Sunderland cool Bruce talk

SUNDERLAND'S interest in appointing Steve Bruce as their new manager has receded as Ellis Short's buy-out was confirmed.

On the day it was officially announced that the Irish-American businessman is to take complete control of the club in which he bought a 30% stake last year, the Black Cats took a step back in their efforts to find a replacement for Ricky Sbragia.

Wigan 1 Portsmouth 0

STRIKER Hugo Rodallega scored his third goal in four matches as Wigan ended a run of three successive defeats by beating Portsmouth at the JJB Stadium.

The Colombia striker had the simplest of tap-ins from three yards after Sol Campbell completely missed Charles N’Zogbia’s 27th-minute cross.

Preview: Wigan v Portsmouth

WIGAN winger Antonio Valencia is unlikely to get a farewell appearance against Portsmouth at the JJB Stadium on Sunday as he is struggling with a hamstring problem.

Manager Steve Bruce admits it is inevitable the in-demand Ecuador international will leave in the summer with Real Madrid having already reportedly made a bid.

Wigan tops for value

WIGAN are the champions of Barclays Premier League when it comes to giving supporters value for money.

That is according to new research issued today by ING Direct, which compares season ticket costs with the team's performance in the top flight.

Wigan, Blackburn and Aston Villa are those who come up trumps, say the company.

Real in for Valencia - agent

WIGAN winger Antonio Valencia's agent has claimed Real Madrid have made the first move in the bid to sign the Ecuador international.

Manager Steve Bruce has conceded the 23-year-old, who has been attracting interest from bigger clubs for over year now, will leave the JJB Stadium this summer.

Zaki on his way out of Wigan

WIGAN manager Steve Bruce has confirmed he will not be making striker Amr Zaki's loan deal permanent after experiencing a number of problems with the Egypt international.

The 26-year-old had a blistering start to the season after joining from El Zamalek, with eight goals in his first 10 matches, but he has not scored from open play since mid-October and his last goal came on December 28.

Bruce unhappy at penalty claim

STEVE Bruce felt his side should have had an early penalty which may have changed the course of their defeat at Stoke.

Abdoulaye Faye appeared to foul Paul Scharner, with nothing given, but the Latics boss conceded the best team won.

Stoke City 2 Wigan 0

WIGAN'S lacklustre finish to the season continued with defeat against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

The match only sprang into life in the last 20 minutes when Ricardo Fuller's persistence saw him evade three defenders to fire past Richard Kingson.

Preview: Stoke v Wigan

HUGO Rodallega's heroic performance against United helped soften the blow of a painful defeat for battling Wigan at the hands of the champions elect.

Latics' boss Steve Bruce takes his team to Stoke on Saturday and reckons he's unearthed another gem in the powerful Colombian international, who scored in the 2-1 defeat to the Reds.

King to stand trial

WIGAN striker Marlon King was ordered to stand trial today for allegedly groping and punching a woman in a nightclub.

The 29-year-old, who is on loan at Middlesbrough at the moment, allegedly attacked the 20-year-old at the Soho Revue bar in London last December.

Battle on for Valencia

UNITED will face competition from Real Madrid this summer if they decide to target Wigan Athletic's Ecuadorian wing wizard Antonio Valencia.

The Spanish giants had representatives at last night's game running the rule over Valencia, who was very much in the spotlight.

Wigan 1 United 2

WIGAN gave United a mighty scare at the JJB Stadium but eventually the Reds proved too strong.

Hugo Rodallega put the Latics ahead after a slip from Nemanja Vidic, but goals from substitute Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick won it for the visitors.

Wigan 1 United 2: Player ratings

FIND out how we rated the Latics for their performance in the 2-1 loss against United.

Bruce vows to fight Reds

WIGAN boss Steve Bruce has promised his side will uphold the 'honesty' of the Premier League and do all they can to stop Manchester United's march towards the title.

With little to play for, Wigan - under the command of former United skipper Bruce - could be forgiven for not bothering to pull out all the stops to halt the progress of Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

Kirkland set to miss out

WIGAN'S first-choice goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is unlikely to play in Wednesday night's Premier League clash with United after injuring his troublesome back again in Saturday's defeat at West Brom.

Veteran Mike Pollitt, a former Reds junior, is on stand-by, though manager Steve Bruce could keep faith with Richard Kingson, who came on for the injured Kirkland at the weekend.

West Brom 3 Wigan 1

WIGAN'S lacklustre end-of-season form continued at the Hawthorns as two goals from Marc-Antoine Fortune and another from Chris Brunt breathed new life into West Brom’s survival bid.

Fortune’s header was cancelled out by Hugo Rodallega’s deflected free-kick but after the break Brunt converted his own penalty rebound and Fortune made the points safe in the 73rd minute.

Preview: West Brom v Wigan

WIGAN keeper Chris Kirkland could condemn former club West Brom to relegation.

The Baggies will go down if they lose and Kirkland admits he will have mixed emotions on the day. "Football can be a cruel game," he said. "It's not nice sometimes but you have to do the best for the team you are playing for."

Bruce on Pennant trail

WIGAN Athletic manager Steve Bruce has renewed his interest in Jermaine Pennant.

Bruce will need a replacement at the end of the season for Antonio Valencia, who has been strongly linked with Manchester United, and has been monitoring Pennant's form with Portsmouth.

We can't stop Valencia, says Bruce

STEVE Bruce has paved the way for Antonio Valencia's departure this summer - admitting he has all but given up hope of holding onto the in-demand winger.

United are one of a host of clubs tracking the Ecuadorian international, who was also a target for Real Madrid in January.

Bruce rallies Latics

WIGAN manager Steve Bruce has urged his players to raise their game for the final four matches in order to ensure a good season does not end with a whimper.

For a couple of months the Latics were challenging for a European place but, since mid-January, when they were seventh, they have gradually declined.

Wigan 0 Bolton 0

WIGAN were thwarted by Jussi Jaaskelainen as the Bolton goalkeeper made three fine first-half saves at the JJB Stadium.

The Finn twice denied Hugo Rodallega, once with the aid of a post, and also tipped over Mido's long-range effort. However, the crossbar came to Wigan's rescue before the interval when Bolton defender Gary Cahill's deflected strike rebounded back of the woodwork.

Bruce blasts dreamer Zaki

WIGAN manager Steve Bruce believes on-loan striker Amr Zaki has allowed dreams of playing for a bigger club to affect his performances.

The Egypt international looked like an inspired signing when Bruce brought him in from El Zamalek last summer, scoring 10 goals in 16 league matches.

Preview: Wigan v Bolton

MANAGER Steve Bruce is demanding goals from Wigan and a return to winning ways after three successive defeats.

Latics have scored just seven goals in 14 Premier League games since the turn of the year and hopes of European qualification have bitten the dust.

Zaki set for comeback

WIGAN manager Steve Bruce is not prepared to allow his row with on-loan striker Amr Zaki affect the fortunes of the club.

Bruce wants to keep Mido

WIGAN boss Steve Bruce wants to keep Egyptian international Mido.

The striker's loan spell from Middlesbrough has proved successful and Mido is happy at Wigan so Bruce will look to make his move permanent.

Latics aim to stop the rot

STEVE Bruce is determined to stop Wigan Athletic's season fizzling out following three successive defeats and a slide into mid-table.

The Latics boss wants his players to bounce back from Sunday's defeat at Blackburn by beating arch rivals Bolton at the weekend.

Blackburn 2 Wigan 0

WIGAN'S hopes of a top 10 finish took a battering in a bruising derby defeat at battling Blackburn.

Rovers keeper Paul Robinson was in top form to deny the Latics as the home side secured a vital three points in their relegation fight.

Preview: Blackburn v Wigan

WIGAN boss Steve Bruce is expecting a bruising derby clash with Lancashire neighbours Blackburn at Ewood Park on Sunday.

Rovers need the points to avoid being dragged back into a relegation scrap and Bruce knows his players will need to stand up and be counted against Sam Allardyce's men.

Cattermole back for Latics

WIGAN Athletic will have Lee Cattermole back from a four-match suspension in Sunday's derby clash with Blackburn.

Wigan have certainly missed Cattermole's battling presence in midfield in recent weeks.

Pollitt to keep on keeping on

WIGAN Athletic's veteran goalkeeper Mike Pollitt is in line to land a new one-year deal in the summer.

At 39, the former Manchester United junior is one of the oldest players playing Premier League football. But he has maintained an exceptional level of fitness and sharpness and is to stay on as deputy for Wigan's first-choice keeper Chris Kirkland.

Mido waits on future

MANAGER Steve Bruce will decide soon if he wants to keep Mido at Wigan Athletic.

The Egyptian is on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the season.

Kirkland fed up of blanks

WIGAN keeper Chris Kirkland is frustrated to be facing yet another blank Saturday this weekend.

The Latics are out of action because original opponents United are in FA Cup semi-final action with Everton at Wembley - the fifth time this year Latics have no weekend Premier League fixture.

Give Zak a break

DAZED Latics' hero Mido has pleaded with Wigan fans to accept his fellow Egyptian Amr Zaki back with open arms.

Zaki was publicly criticised by manager Steve Bruce last week after returning late for the fourth time from international duty. He was fined two weeks' wages for the incident, and has apologised to Bruce, club officials and team-mates.

Wigan 1 Arsenal 4

WIGAN took the lead against Arsenal but were then blown away by a superby second-half performance from the Gunners.

Mido had put the Latics ahead but goals from Theo Walcott, Mikael Silvestre, Andrey Arshavin and Alexandre Song won it for the visitors.

Preview: Wigan v Arsenal

AMR Zaki will not be involved in the Premier League clash with Arsenal at the JJB Stadium regardless of whether he is fit or not.

The Latics striker sustained a hamstring injury while on international duty with Egypt, resulting in an unauthorised absence that has had boss Steve Bruce fuming.

Angry Bruce on Zaki's case

WIGAN boss Steve Bruce will today read the riot act in private to striker Amr Zaki.

Latics are back in training and Zaki should, hopefully, finally have returned from Egypt to face the wrath of Bruce.

Bruce vents fury at absent Zaki

ANGRY Wigan boss Steve Bruce confirmed he will have showdown talks with AWOL striker Amr Zaki later in the week after watching his side's defeat by Everton.

The Egypt frontman has still not returned from international duty, and Bruce admitted he was at the end of his tether with his unpredictable loan signing.

Everton 4 Wigan 0

Wigan paid the price for never getting to grips with Everton's lanky record signing Marouane Fellaini.

His familiar bushy hair was back as he cut Latics down to size with a fine personal display in the Toffees' biggest win of the season.

Baines is a belter

FORMER Wigan star Leighton Baines lines up against the Latics tomorrow boosted by his call-up to the England squad.

Left-back Baines has been outstanding this term for Everton, who host Latics in a mini-battle for a European qualification place.

Bruce slams Zaki

ON-LOAN striker Amr Zaki’s days at Wigan appear to be numbered after manager Steve Bruce branded him the most unprofessional player he has ever worked with.

The Egypt forward was due to be back with his club on Tuesday, more than 36 hours after his international match against Zambia. Compatriot Mido made it but Zaki did not.