Wigan Athletic Football Club News

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

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• Capacity:25,000

Jewell backs Baines rise

19 Oct 2006 - 12:26:16

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Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell believes that left-back Leighton Baines deserves a call-up to the senior England squad.

Baines has won rave reviews for his performances for the England Under-21s side and Jewell feels that his player deserves a chance to show his talents on the full international stage.

He said: "There are not too many English left-backs pushing Ashley Cole and if the system is being run properly then Leighton deserves his chance.

"In the last two seasons he has been solid, the model of consistency, seven out of ten for every game. If he doesn't get called up what's the point of an Under-21 team?

"It seems a natural progression and I've been singing his praises for a number of years.

"I had to tell the scouts where Wigan was at one stage, so that they could take note of him because he's a talented player.

"This may have been because we are not fashionable, but that doesn't mean our players do not deserve recognition."