From goalkeeper to goalpoacher...Wigan Athletic starlet Joe Gelhardt reveals all!

The 18-year-old, who was fast-tracked into the Latics first-team set-up last summer, is regarded as one of the hottest young attacking properties in the country.

After representing England at Under-16 and Under-17 level, he even captained the Three Lions at Under-18 level earlier this season.

His remarkable goalscoring exploits at junior level mean he has long been on the radar of the likes of Premier League giants Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United.

But it could all have been so different...had it not been for a positional rethink!

“I started playing football at about the age of six, but I was a goalie at first,” Gelhardt said.

“I was in goal until I was about eight, before I started moving up the pitch.

“First it was left back, then aged about nine it was left wing, and by the time I moved to Wigan aged 10, I was a striker.

“I remember playing for my Sunday league team, and we had a friendly against Wigan.

“I was lucky enough to score a hat-trick, and every since then I’ve been here.”

Would he fancy his chances between the sticks in the event of an emergency?

“I’m not the tallest, but I’d give it a go,” he laughed. “And I think I’d do all right!”

Part of the reason for Gelhardt’s switch might have been watching his idols from Anfield during his formative years.

Speaking on the Wigan Athletic Community Trust’s weekly Facebook Live feature, Gelhardt added: “My uncle Joe and my dad got me playing in the garden.

“But I’d say the footballer who made me fall in love with the game was Fernando Torres.

“Obviously I’m from Liverpool and support Liverpool, and when I used to watch him play, scoring goals, he made me want to be a footballer.

“He was my favourite player when I started off.”