Callum McManaman becomes youngest Latics player in the Barclays Premier League

Callum McManaman became the youngest player to ever wear a Wigan Athletic shirt in the Barclays Premier League when he came on for Charles N'Zogbia in the 78th minute against Portsmouth last Sunday, beating the previous record held by David Cotterill.

He also became the first ever Youth team player to play in the Premier League for the club, as his first professional contract at the club will only run from July.

It marks the end of a great season for Liverpool-born McManaman, who has just completed a two year apprenticeship at the club after being released by Everton.

He only turned 18 on April 24 and only started playing regularly for the reserves half way through the season.

WAITING GAME: McManaman & Routledge wait patiently for their chance.

But he scored four goals in seven matches for Keith Bertschin's side and, says Steve Bruce, has forced himself into the first team reckoning through sheer guts and determination.

"I really had no choice but to give him ago," said Bruce, "because the kid has been so enthusiastic and has done enough in training to show me he was ready. I thought he did well, I was pleased for him. Now he needs to kick on, get stuck in next season and keep progressing.

BIG NUMBERS: McManaman (43) with his fellow debutant Jon Routledge (38) in the distance.

"The previous youngest player to play in the Premier League for the club was David Cotterill, who was 18 years and 9 months when he came on as a substitute at Portsmouth in September 2006.

The only other teenager to have appeared in the Premier League for Latics is Jon Routledge, who was an injury-time substitute on Sunday.

Leighton Baines was 18 and three days when he first played a league match, against Oldham in December 2002, but was 20 and 8 months when he made his Premier League debut against Chelsea in August 2005. Lee Cattermole played for Middlesbrough in the top flight at the age of 17, but he too was 20 by the time he put on a Latics shirt at West Ham last August.

McManaman said he was delighted to get his debut against Portsmouth.

"When the gaffer told me I was going on, I was very excited. I think I did OK but it went by so quickly. I just want to get the chance of another chance now that I've made my debut."