'˜Second Premier League' facing Wigan Athletic now

But the Latics CEO is backing Paul Cook and his players to continue the momentum from last term and prove they belong among the big boys.

“It’s almost like a second Premier League next year with the teams we’re going to be facing,” Jackson told the Wigan Post.

“It’ll be a real challenge, a real step up from League One, and we know that.

“We think the squad we have is capable of playing in the Championship, although we have been adding depth to it so we have a team and a squad that can compete.

“A number of players have the experience of playing in the Championship, and it won’t be a step into the unknown for them. That I think puts us in a much stronger position than two years ago.

“We’ve been looking at how we did things two summers ago, and the changes we made to the squad, and hopefully we’ll have learned a few lessons.

“But it’s not just a case of ‘hoping’ – it’s a case of doing as much preparing as we can so we’re ready for what’s to come.”

Proof Latics are back in the big time will be evident in the away end on Saturday, when a sold-out contengent of almost 5,000 Wednesday fans will cram into the North Stand – providing a welcome cash boost for starters.

“It helps when you have big sides coming here every other week, and season-ticket sales have been going really well,” acknowledged Jackson.