Chey Dunkley's focus on recovery, not his future

Dunkley, who was enjoying one of his best individual campaigns to date, suffered a double leg break during the side’s 3-0 win against Reading on February 26.

The 28-year-old, who is making rapid progress having broken his fibula and tibula, is one of seven Wigan Athletic players out of contract this summer.

“It’s something that we are talking about and trying to negotiate, but at this moment in time, we haven’t really spoke about it or moved forward with it, because of the pandemic and so many things are happening at the moment.” Dunkley revealed on the Jay Whittle Sports Podcast.

“For me personally, I’m just trying to focus on getting back fit.

“This season hasn’t even finished yet, so I’m not even thinking about where I will be next season.

“I’m almost three months into my rehab and I’m going to be continuing my rehab so my first thought process is to continue with my rehab and solely getting fit.

“I’m sure at some point, those negotiations will take place between the club and my representatives, but you know, it’s a club that I’ve been at for a while, and I’m comfortable here.

“If we can make the deal, I’m sure we will sort out, but it’s not something I’d let’s say comment on, because my sole focus is to just get fit.

“We’re talking about me trying to get back on a football pitch first, and then hopefully everything else will look after itself.”

Dunkley had been integral for Wigan Athletic before his horror injury this term – and not just for his defensive work- as he has also chipped in with six goals from set-pieces.

He admitted that it was his target at the start of the campaign to score more goals, after drawing a blank in the previous Championship season.

“It’s been a good season for me. It’s been my second season in the Championship.

“Each player has set goals at the start of the season, which is another reason how our management improves our players, and one of my individual goals was to get more goals.

“I’d done it in the past, as in my first season in Wigan, I’d scored seven goals, and at Oxford, I’d scored five in one season and four in the one before.

“It is definitely something that is in my game and while I’m not expecting to finish top of the charts, I want to chip in where I can chip in.

“Ultimately my aim is to keep clean sheets and keep the other team at bay, but where I can chip in, I should be chipping in.

“When I go up for corners, or free-kicks, I’m going up to score and be a third striker and this is something we’ve been working on closely with the coaches, manager.

“I’m happy that I have

added to our goals tally and may that continue moving forward.”