Evans deal '˜will hamper us' - Wigan Athletic boss

Despite the Wales international midfielder arriving last week, the fact the deal was only completed hours after the transfer deadline meant it had to be classed as a loan deal, with a view to a permanent move being completed in January.

With EFL rules stipulating a maximum of five loan players can be included in any matchday squad, Cook admits the failure to beat the transfer deadline has given him an unwanted headache.

“We’ll keep looking at the situation in terms of loans,” Cook told the Wigan Post.

“But we’re a little bit disappointed in how the Lee Evans transfer went through, with it becoming a loan rather than a permanent deal.

“Dan Burn also became a loan when he’d previously been our player, so that’s probably two loans that we didn’t expecting to be carrying which we are.

“I’m sure the fans would appreciate both of those situations were unforeseen, and that’s probably hampering us now in bringing in further loans.

“Any player who comes in on loan has to be in and around the squad, but we’ll keep looking at the market, and if there’s something we can do then we will do so.”

Christian Walton, Reece James, Antonee Robinson and Callum Connolly are the other loanees.