Wigan Athletic Football Club News

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

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Heskey move talk denied

26 Sep 2007 - 13:24:56

Click To Enlarge

Wigan Athletic manager Chris Hutchings has denied that Emile Heskey will be allowed to leave the JJB Stadium in the January transfer window.

The former Leicester City, Liverpool and Birmingham striker made a successful return to the England fold last month, starring in the victories against Israel and Russia, only to then suffer a metatarsal injury in the opening minutes of the Latics' draw with Fulham.

Heskey faces another six weeks on the sidelines but that has not stopped reports linking him with a move to Newcastle United.

However, Hutchings told the Wigan Evening Post: "I haven't heard anything about Emile being linked with other clubs.

"But with the way he played leading up to his injury, it's not a surprise big clubs are being linked with him.

"It's unfortunate he's going to be out of action for the length of time he is, as Emile is a major part of what we do.

"He's doing some weights and exercise in the gym, and possibly by the end of the week he will be able to do some slight weight-bearing work.

"It's just a matter of time and letting the injury settle down. Next week he might be able to step up and do some swimming, but we're in the hands of the medical people.

"Fortunately, Emile's not in a plaster cast. He has a protective boot which he can take off at night."