Lopez tipped for top season

Roberto Martinez has tipped defender Adrian Lopez for a top season with the Latics next season.

The Spanish defender has had a n indifferent period wit hthe club since joining in 2010 and has found first team opportunities limited.

However Martinez now expects the defender to be challenging the established players for a position n 2012/13.

"I do expect him to challenge the more established players next season," Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post.

"He is still a very young man, but he has great experience from playing for Deportivo in La Liga. And we are all hoping he will continue to develop over the summer."

"Adrian is a very quick defender with outstanding distribution and is good in the air - he has everything.

"We will do our best this summer to help him with a structured training programme, and I see him really challenging next season."

Lopez was secured on a bosman style free transfer in December 2010 and could well represent a bargain transfer if he can find his feet in the Premier League.