'˜Plenty' more to come from Wigan Athletic rock

The big centre-back enjoyed a near-faultless time since arriving last summer on a free transfer from Oxford.

Indeed, the only three league games he missed were due to a suspension following his sending-off against Portsmouth back in August.

And he fully justified the faith placed in him by Paul Cook, who gave the green light to his signing within days of taking over the hotseat last summer.

“There were initial talks that took place before the gaffer came in,” Dunkley told the Wigan Post.

“But as soon as the gaffer was appointed, it obviously drew me here even more.

“He’s a top manager who likes to play football, and I knew I’d improve as a player under him.

“I feel I’m still improving, there’s plenty of improvement in me yet, and this is the place for me to do that.”

Cook admitted last summer, tongue in cheek, he would decided at the end of the season whether Dunkley’s capture had been his or a club decision...and he’s keen to take all the glory!

“Yes it was my signing, 100 per cent, and anyone who says otherwise is lying!” laughed Cook.

“Seriously, and looking back on reflection, Chey was very much a club signing rather than mine, without a shadow of a doubt.

“Well done to the recruitment team, the chairman, the chief exec for that one...it was a great signing.”