Talking football: Where Wigan Athletic boss Paul Cook will be looking to strengthen this summer

GOALKEEPER

One of the major priorities for recruitment, given there are currently no senior goalkeepers on the books. Christian Walton impressed hugely during his season-long loan from Brighton, and Cook must have already tested the water about extending the arrangement by a further 12 months. It would surely make sense from a Brighton perspective as well, giving him a full campaign of experience in the second tier before returning to the south coast to challenge for a first-team jersey in the Premier League. Walton has already admitted he’d welcome the idea of staying on to further his footballing education, rather than sitting on the bench, so hopefully that will get sorted sooner rather than later. Latics back-up Jamie Jones is also out of contract, and it remains to be seen whether Cook rewards him with another year or attempts to bring in a second goalkeeper with more first and second-tier experience.

FULL-BACK

Back-up to undisputed first choice right-back Nathan Byrne will be sought, with Donervon Daniels set to leave the club having completed his contract. The other side of the defence is more of a priority, with Reece James out of contract and Callum Elder having seen out his season-long loan from Leicester. Again, it would make sense for Latics to look into a loan extension, or even a permanent deal, for Elder, who has 12 months remaining on his Leicester deal - something he’s admitted to being open to. Whether James has done enough to earn a new deal remains to be seen, having fallen out of favour during the all-important title run-in.

CENTRE-BACK

Experienced competition for Dan Burn and Chey Dunkley will be sought. Neither missed a single game last term through injury, and it would be pushing it to expect a similar scenario next term. Alex Bruce is out of contract, but did well on his few outings (through suspension) as deputy and may be awarded a 12-month extension. But this could be an area where Cook splashes the cash to add some strength to the backline, with Craig Morgan having missed the whole of last season through hip surgery and a major question mark about his ability to make a full recovery at the age of 33.

MIDFIELD

Cook opined recently that Sam Morsy and Max Power were the best central midfield in League One ‘by some way’. Both deserve first crack at the Championship, and Shaun MacDonald will effectively be a major new signing having missed the whole of last term with a broken leg. However, Cook will surely be looking to add to his options with David Perkins undecided about moving on and Jay Fulton having returned to Swansea following his loan spell. This time last year, Cook drafted in Lee Evans from Wolves on loan - although he was recalled in January and sold to Sheffield United - and a similar sort of player would appear to fit the bill.

FORWARD

One of Wigan’s positions of strength in League One with Nick Powell, Michael Jacobs, Gavin Massey, Ryan Colclough and Gary Roberts providing creativity and goals aplenty. Cook must decide whether Roberts, at 34, deserves a new one-year deal, while the player himself may decide to exercise his options and look elsewhere to secure more first-team football. Cook has already made his first addition to this area, in the form of January arrival Jamie Walker, who should be ready to hit the ground running next term after spending the last few months settling in.

STRIKER

Again, Cook has already started his strengthening in this department, with James Vaughan and Devante Cole having been added to the roster mid-season. Whether he needs a fourth striker, with Noel Hunt possibly set to move on, is something to ponder, with Callum Lang surely more likely to be loaned out in the lower leagues again rather than remain and compete for a first-team berth.