'˜We're going to need something else in defence' - Wigan Athletic boss

The Latics boss revealed after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa that Darron Gibson and Gavin Massey were unavailable due to injury, while new signing Joe Garner may not be seen until next month as he works his way up to being match ready.

“Darron will be out for four weeks, he has a grade two tear of his groin,” Cook told the Wigan Post.

“It’s obviously disappointing as he has done terrific since he’s been here

“Gavin Massey has also done his hamstring in training, he won’t be out quite so long.

“He was touch and go for Villa, unfortunately it was go rather than touch.

“Joe Garner will need a couple of weeks for match fitness before he gets involved.

“He’s been training hard since he’s been with us, but he’s not quite ready to play.”

Despite being hugely active in the transfer market before last Thursday’s deadline, Cook is predicting further movement before the loan window for EFL clubs closes at the end of the month.

“Why not? Why not?” he laughed. “We’re in a tough league so we may as well keep going!

“On a serious note, I think defensively, probably in the centre of the defence, we’re going to need something.

“Hopefully we’re going to look at and be able to address that before the loan window closes.”

Cook, meanwhile, has warned fans he will be shuffling his pack ahead of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie at Rotherham.

“Without a doubt, there’ll be a full squad rotation, as they say,” he added.

“The league is our priority, as everyone knows, and this is an unforgiving division, where the games come thick and fast.

“It will be a much-changed team at Rotherham, for any of our supporters who are thinking of travelling over.

“But at the same time we still want that team to progress into the next round of the cup.”