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Teale blow puts Luis in frame
Wigan Athletic are hoping Luis Antonio Valencia's work permit application can be granted quickly as he's needed to replace the injured Gary Teale.
Ecuador international winger Valencia has agreed a 12-month loan move from Spanish club Villarreal, the deal now subject to him getting the work permit and a visa.
He's due in Wigan on Tuesday on a temporary visa but will later have to return to Spain while the paperwork is finalised.
Latics targeted Valencia to strengthen the right side of midfield, and Teale's injury makes it a timely swoop.
The Scotsman is suffering from an ankle injury and he's not likely to be available for first-team action until the second week of September.
Manager Paul Jewell said: "Tealey went to see a specialist in London on Thursday and we now don't think he'll be available until we play Portsmouth.
"He had a little operation on his ankle in the summer and has been doing really well, but another injury has flared up.
"The right wing is an area of the squad where we're short at the moment, so Valencia's arrival will be welcome. He will hopefully be here on Tuesday so he can play against Vitesse Arnhem, that is the idea anyway, and then he'll probably have to leave the country while the work permit is processed.
"He satisfies the criteria, he played 75% of Ecuador's games last season, so we are okay with that.
"I was impressed with him when I saw him play at the World Cup, although he wasn't a player I went out with the intention of watching.
"Before I went to Germany, I watched Ecuador's game against Poland on television and he caught my eye.
"I then watched him live a couple of times, saw him play against England, and he's a really exciting prospect.
"We've got him on a year's loan with a view to buying him, a fee has been worked out with Villarreal but that's between the clubs."
Meanwhile, Pascal Chimbonda was in the Latics squad for this afternoon's friendly at Halifax despite still being intent on leaving the club and joining Tottenham.
But with no sign of Tottenham meeting the 6m asking price, it looks like he will be at the JJB Stadium for some time to come.
He had his first training session with the squad yesterday after working with the fitness coach earlier in the week, and was being considered for selection at Halifax.
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Weather for Wigan
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 3 mph
Wind direction: South
