Martinez on injuries, the transfer window and loan benefits

Roberto Martinez has admitted that next week's Barclays Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur may come too soon for Antolin Alcaraz and David Jones, who were both absent for the weekend's defeat at Queens Park Rangers through injury.



Latics have extra time to prepare for the game with the FA Cup taking priority this weekend, time the Gaffer intends to use wisely, saying:

"The extra time off will allow David Jones (calf injury) and Antolin Alcaraz (groin injury) to spend more time recovering from injury, and for the group to come closer together in preparation for the next round of fixtures before we have another break.

"I always feel that Antolin has the perfect body for healing and getting back to full fitness earlier than expected, but 15-16 days is probably the minimum period needed for him to recover fully.

"David Jones is progressing really well and we'll asses him day-by-day.

"Spurs may come too early for the pair, but I don't think we'll be without them for much longer than that."


AA RECOVERY - Alcaraz is set to miss Spurs clash, but could be back soon

The game at White Hart Lane will also be taking place on the last day of the January transfer window, and with rumours flying round of possible arrivals and departures, Martinez says a lot of work is going into making the squad stronger come midnight on Tuesday:

"It's that time in the season we need to take advantage of; I've always said we'll work as hard as we can to improve the squad during the transfer window, help the players we have here already and finish the period with a stronger squad than when we started.

"We have to make sure the squad has all the right ingredients for the next challenge of the season, which is being ready to produce the kind of performances we need to get results.

"At this present time one or two new faces would be perfect in helping that and our work at the moment is focussed on making that happen.

"We need characters who can take responsibility and be ready for the situation we're in, and so far it's been a successful period in terms of finding the players who can fill that role."

One deal that has been completed is the two-year contract extension for England Under 20 goalkeeper Lee Nicholls, and the Gaffer is delighted the deal has been completed:

"Lee represents a completely new generation at our football club and we've always been very aware of his talent and potential.

"It's important that he is now maturing day by day, getting ready to go onto the next level and take hold of his desire to become an important Number 1 both for club and country.

"The new deal will give him a bit of stability and focus in that next step.

"What Lee needs now is to be playing more competitive games, start testing himself in a First Team environment and we'll try and find that situation for him."

Loan moves have certainly benefitted Callum McManaman (Blackpool) and Roman Golobart (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), and now Daniel Redmond seems to be settling in well at Hamilton Academical after scoring his first senior goal at the weekend, against Ayr United.

Martinez explained how these spells away from Latics are helping the younger players at the club:

"It's always a great sign to see players from the Development Squad go away and have good experiences in competitive senior football.

"The experience helps them to develop as human beings and understand the potential they have, and it's working very well for players like Daniel Redmond and Roman Golobart just as it did for Callum McManaman.

"All of these players have developed because of their experiences away from Wigan Athletic and it's a great indication of the work being done at all levels at the club."