Source: Team_Talk
Martinez keen to keep big guns
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez says his star players are likely to attract more interest, but is confident the squad will be stronger in August.[LNB] The Spaniard completed his first piece of business on Monday with the £4million signing of Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, the Latics' player of the season after his loan spell in the previous campaign.[LNB]However, winger Charles N'Zogbia continues to be linked with a number of clubs - as he has been for the last three windows - while midfielder James McCarthy and striker Hugo Rodallega also have their suitors.[LNB]Of that trio the former seems most likely to depart, especially as his transfer to Birmingham 11 months ago floundered at the last minute because of personal terms, while he only also has one year left on his contract.[LNB]But despite the reported interest there have been no bids as yet and Martinez is focusing on improving his squad rather than allowing it to be weakened.[LNB]His next move into the market is to find a replacement for midfielder Tom Cleverley, who impressed on loan from Manchester United but seems unlikely to return for a second season.[LNB]"At the moment it is very straightforward: we are very strong in our squad, we have got very good numbers," said Martinez.[LNB]"Ali was our first priority but now Tom Cleverly has gone back to Manchester United that is another position we have to strengthen.[LNB]"But even then I feel we have a group of youngsters who will get a chance in pre-season and if they are as strong as I suspect them to be we will have a good squad.[LNB]"We've had no offers (for his players) but I am sure there is a lot of interest in our top performers - and rightly so, we will take that as a compliment.[LNB]"But we are looking forward to finishing the window in a stronger position than we started and that is why we work so hard behind the scenes to get ready."[LNB]Having helped the team stave off the threat of relegation on the final day of the season Al Habsi is keen for the Latics to start building for a better season this time around.[LNB]He, like Martinez, is keen to hang on to those team-mates who played a significant part in that survival battle.[LNB]"The most important players we have to keep and we have to work hard starting on Thursday (when the club's pre-season begins)," said the 29-year-old Oman international.[LNB]"It is going to be a very important season and we have to be ready for that."
