Wigan Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Caldwell surgery blow for Latics

16 May 2010 - 13:59:32

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Wigan Athletic defender Gary Caldwell will miss the start of the new season following double hip surgery.

Caldwell, 28, has already undergone surgery on one hip joint but will return for a second operation in two months' time.

The Scotland joined the Latics from Celtic in January and made 15 appearances for Roberto Martinez's side.

He will now definitely miss Scotland's first two Euro 2012 qualifying games alongside the start of the domestic season in August.

"Experts say I'll be out for between three and five months," he explained.

"Hopefully, the right hip won't be as bad as the left hip and I can push towards being out for just three months.

"It all depends on how quickly my body heals. I will definitely miss the start of the season with Wigan as well as Scotland's friendly against Sweden in August.

"I'll also miss our opening two European Championship qualifiers against Lithuania and Liechtenstein at the start of September.

"It will be touch and go for our next double header away to the Czech Republic and at home to Spain in October.

"I'm hoping to be back playing for Wigan by then, so who knows? If I hit the ground running I might just be in contention for those crucial two qualifiers."