Wigan Athletic boss on community responsibility and contract situations

With all football in this country suspended until at least April 30 – a date which will surely be extended further – the focus has turned to the battle against the Covid-19 virus.

And the Latics boss says just because there’s no matches to prepare for, doesn’t mean clubs have taken a back seat.

“Clubs pride themselves today on being community clubs, and being good in the community,” Cook acknowledged.

“As prominent an industry as football is, I think we have a big part to play in that.

“And at the moment, that is obviously not going to be on the football pitch.

“It’s about making sure, in our own community, that we are seen to be doing the right things.

“We must play our part in doing whatever we can in this, while taking advice from the government.

“And if we can play our part in putting whatever that is into practice, I think that’s the most important thing.”

With the very real prospect of this season running into next, several players whose contracts run out this summer – including Michael Jacobs, Joe Garner and Chey Dunkley – are facing a somewhat uncertain future.

“We’ve probably got eight, nine, 10 players coming out of contract this summer,” added Cook on Sky Sports News.

“And they’ll probably be worried about their futures.

“I haven’t spoken to them about that yet, because we’re only at the beginning of this.”