Club confirms that DW Stadium pitch to be replaced

Wigan Athletic have confirmed that the DW Stadium pitch is to be relayed over the coming weeks.

After a very harsh winter and the intense usage in a short period the decision has been made this afternoon (Friday) that the current surface will be replaced.

Roberto Martinez, Latics manager, said: "It's clear that the surface at the DW has become a problem over the past few weeks. I would never use that as an excuse because it's the same for both teams, but we have to try and do what we can and I am delighted that we have been able to take this action swiftly as a club."

Head Groundsman Ian Forshaw and his team will get to work immediately after the rugby league game on the 26th February with the bulldozers working throughout the night to pull up the surface and then get the new turf laid as quickly as possible over the weekend and into the following week.

A new fibre-reinforced lokturf will be laid on the entire surface and Forshaw explained: "The growing season is just a few weeks away and this new surface will quickly become established."