Loan man returns to Wigan Athletic ahead of possible operation
Charlie Wyke has returned to Wigan Athletic from his loan spell at Rotherham United.
The 31-year-old joined the Millers on transfer deadline day in January, to be reunited with his former Latics boss Leam Richardson.
But Richardson was sacked earlier this month after only four months in the job, to be replaced by Steve Evans.
And when Wyke was left out of the Rotherham squad at the weekend, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Wyke in South Yorkshire.
"He's got a little problem with his ankle that rules him out beyond next Saturday," reported Evans during his weekly press conference on Thursday morning.
"He lives in the north west and he spoke to me about the possibility of being based there.
"We spoke to Wigan and he's gone back there. I think he's going to see a consultant and maybe have a little op to tidy it up.
"From my point of view, although he's contracted to us, he goes back to being a Wigan player."
Latics boss Shaun Maloney was asked about the situation during his own media conference on Thursday afternoon.
"Yeah, I only found out about that this morning (Thursday),” said the Scot.
"Charlie is going to see a specialist, one he has seen before, when he was here.
"I was told he was then going to go back to Rotherham in the morning.
"But honestly, it's whatever Charlie wants, whatever Charlie needs, any support we can give him then we will.
"I believe he is still a Rotherham player, I think his deal runs through to the end of June.
"But he's got such a history at this club - well before I came here - and if he needs anything from us, then he only has to ask.
"That's absolutely no problem.”
Wyke is out of contract at the DW at the end of the season and seems certain to move on to pastures new.
After joining Latics in the summer of 2021, his first season was heavily affected affected after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the training ground, which ruled him out for the best part of 12 months.
He scored eight goals in 22 games in the first half of this season before joining Rotherham, for whom he has scored once in a dozen appearances.