Caldwell yet to decide whether to offer Taylor a deal

The 31-year-old has been training with Latics for the past few weeks, and has impressed in the pre-season friendlies against Chester, Manchester United and Macclesfield.

With Reece Wabara having moved on in the summer and new-boy Kyle Knoyle - signed on a season-long loan from West Ham - ruled out for several months with a badly broken elbow, Taylor’s been trying to prove he’s worthy of a new deal at the club he left in January 2009 after a four-and-a-half year stay.

“Ryan’s done well,” Caldwell told the Evening Post. “He’s shown us that he’s physically fit, and able to play and train at a high level.

“That was something he’s not been able to do for the last few years because of unfortunate injuries.”

When asked whether he was doing enough to warrant a full-time deal, Caldwell added: “We’re still not decided. We’ll sit down over the next few days.”

Reece James is also hoping for more minutes this afternoon at Spotland, having returned to the field for the first time in six months in midweek following ankle surgery.

“The last few days have been the best Reece has been in training, and I thought his movement looked a lot freer and comfortable at Macclesfield,” added Caldwell.

“He’s great to have back, because he’s somebody who did excellent last year, and the timing of the injury was really unfortunate.

“It was an awkward one to get to the bottom of, but hopefully now that’s the end of it.”