Offers rejected for Wigan Athletic duo

Both players are understood to have been the subject of enquiries by Championship clubs this week.

But the Latics fans - as well as acting manager Leam Richardson - will be boosted by the stance taken by the powers that be.

Despite the search for a new owner still ongoing, it's believed there is sufficient funds - in the pot and on the way - to see out the season.

To the extent that Latics are also closing in on a double capture of their own.

Former Bolton midfielder Zach Clough is expected to join this week from Nottingham Forest for the rest of the campaign.

Clough hasn't played for the best part of two years - his last first-team appearance came back in April 2019.

Indeed, the 25-year-old has started only 23 matches in the four years since swapping Horwich for the City Ground in the January window of 2017 for £3million.

But he showed during his time with the Trotters the level is capable of reaching and - similar to fellow new-boy Tendayi Darikwa, who was also out of favour at Forest - he's though to be a gamble worth taking in the circumstances.

Latics are also in the hunt for central defensive reinforcements, after loan stars Curtis Tilt (Rotherham) and Darnell Johnson (Leicester) returned to their parent clubs, and utility man Tom James joined Salford City after his loan from Hibernian had expired.

The arrival of Clough and a centre-back would take the squad back up to its 23-man limit under EFL regulations.

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