Wigan Athletic boss pinpoints centre-back void

Latics have conceded nine goals in their opening five league matches – only Blackpool and Burton have shipped more – with a further seven in three domestic cup outings.

With Danny Fox having opted for a new challenge in India, and Nathan Cameron and Adam Long currently isolating after returning positive Covid-19 tests, Latics are very light at the back.

Kal Naismith has deputised there of late, but that robs Latics of one of their most productive attacking players.

Sheridan currently has scope to bring in one more player – due to a cap on squad numbers in administration – and he says he’s looking at a very specific player.

“We still need to fill that area, on the left hand side of central defence. I look at the squad and that is a position I feel we need another body.

“It’s something we’re aware of and something we have to work around.”

Sheridan admits the restrictions of administration are limiting his activity.

“It means we can’t do what we’d like to in an ideal world,” he acknowledged.

“We had a couple of places to fill in the squad, and obviously Will (Keane) took one of those last week.

“Once things have settled down, there’ll hopefully be more of an opportunity to bring in some more.

“We haven’t got a big squad here, and we are trying to add one or two to make us a bit stronger.

“It’s important we have players fighting for their places.

“We don’t want players being comfortable that they’ll be playing week in, week out.

“Possibly we might need another attack-minded player as well, but that’s further down the line.”

Special offer: Get 15% off our digital sports subscription - read unlimited Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors stories for less than 60p a week! Click here