Top Honduran club Olimpia appear to have a special relationship with Latics.

So far Thomas, Wilson Palacios – now at Spurs – and Maynor Figueroa have all swapped the Carribean for a life in the Premier League.

And it's a bond which current Latics favourite Thomas doesn't want to break.

The 24-year-old said: "It's great that there is this link between Honduras and Wigan, and let's hope that the constant flow of Hondurans coming over here to play can continue.

"It was always a dream of mine as a Honduran player to come to Europe and play in the Premier League."

Palacios was the first to move to England and was closely followed by Figueroa before no-nonsense midfielder Thomas made his move –
ensuring Latics' popularity in Honduras continues to grow.

Thomas added: "I'm not really sure if there is an official link-up between the two clubs, although obviously there is a lot of interest back home about Wigan.

"The key is that if the players already here are putting in good performances then that can only open the door further for more Hondurans to come."

Thomas moved to Latics in the summer after a proposed move in 2008 fell through over work permit complications.

An ever-present so far, Thomas has established himself as a pivotal part of Martinez's side.

His physical presence as well as his neat passing ability ensured he was the perfect replacement for Lee Cattermole, who joined Steve Bruce at Sunderland.

Thomas has developed a firm partnership with team-mate Mohammed Diame and the pair are expected to line up together against Spurs on Sunday against former Latics favourite Palacios.

But Thomas hasn't always been the tough-tackling hardman that fans have grown to love, and admitted that after seeing how the Premier League worked, he needed time to adapt his game.

He said: "After speaking to Maynor and Wilson, I kind of prepared myself during my extra 12 months in Honduras for the physical nature of the game in England – and it is like that.

"I kind of knew what it would be like anyway because I had been a fan of the league for some time. I knew what I was letting myself in for and I knew I had to be ready.

"From day one, Maynor helped me, he showed me around and showed me the ropes.

"But the other thing that has helped me, which he and Wilson didn't have the benefit of, is the fact the manager speaks Spanish, which makes things a lot easier from a football point of view."