Mac will be back - Burn

Stricken Wigan Athletic star Shaun MacDonald has the strength of character to bounce back from his horror leg break and return better than ever.
Shaun MacDonaldShaun MacDonald
Shaun MacDonald

That’s the verdict of Dan Burn, who says his team-mate possesses the necessary attitude to be able to deal with the unfortunate injury sustained at Reading in the penultimate game of the campaign.

“The injury couldn’t have happened to a nicer fella,” acknowledged Burn.

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“He’s also getting married in the summer, which is also not going to help.

“You can never see something like that coming – you can never prevent injuries like that.

“Horror injuries are just part and parcel of the game sometimes, and I’m sure he’ll be back – I know he will.

“His attitude is great, and he’ll be determined to get back playing as soon as he can.”

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MacDonald was one of the unsung heroes of a season during which not enough players gave a good enough account of themselves.

But the 28-year-old’s performances did not slip under the radar of Burn, who was voted the Player of the Year.

“Shaun has had a fantastic season – regardless of his injury,” added Burn.

“He just made my job a million times easier.

“He came from Bournemouth as a ball-playing midfielder, and he’s had to drop his ego a little bit.

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“He’s had to do a lot of the hard work that not many people see, and he’s taken a bit of unfair stick in some quarters along the way.

“But when he doesn’t play, we miss him a lot, which shows what an important player he’s become for us.”

Meanwhile, Keith Hill has become the latest man to be linked with the managerial vacancy, with reports suggesting Rochdale are ready to offer him a massive pay rise to keep him out of Wigan’s clutches.

Ex-Latics midfielder Paul Cook, who has led Portsmouth to the League Two title, was strongly linked with the post over the weekend.

Uwe Rosler, Gary Caldwell, Nathan Jones, Michael Appleton and Alan Stubbs are also believed to be on the Latics shortlist.