Wigan Athletic captain and manager agree on Exeter City danger - 'I certainly wouldn't want to mess'

Magennis was a team-mate of several current Latics players - including skipper Jason Kerr - during his recent two-and-a-half-year stay.

And having been lured to the south coast by Gary Caldwell in the summer of 2024, the newly-appointed Latics head coach needs no insight into the quality of the 35-year-old striker.

And how much of a handful he will be if selected.

"I certainly wouldn't want to mess with Josh Magennis," smiled Caldwell. "You'll hear him before you see him, that's the one thing you would say about him.

"He's an amazing character, who's had an amazing career, and he's someone that you can rely on in a crisis.

"They will be heavily relying on him at the moment, and there will be no-one more professional than him this weekend.

"He will see a lot of people here who he knows, who he loves, and he'll give them a big cuddle. But he'll be the first person who wants to score against us and make sure his team gets the win.

"He was a great player to work with, it will be great to see him, but hopefully we won't see too much of him on the day."

Having been a big centre-half during his own playing days, Caldwell says he would have respected Magennis' size and presence.

"With bigger players, you have to respect their strength," said the former Scotland captain. "With Josh, if you try to fight him, he loves that challenge.

"So you have to be smart against that kind of player. That was always the challenge as a centre-half, when you come up against different types of players.

"It's about understanding their strengths, your strengths, and working out how you could win the battle. But I wouldn't be fighting a Josh Magennis, that's for sure...I'd let him have the ball and defend from there."

Tasked with the duties of looking after Magennis on Saturday will be Kerr, who’s kept in touch with the the Northern Ireland international since he moved to Exeter.

"I was actually on the phone to him last night, speaking to him about the game, and we're both looking forward to it," said Kerr.

"Everyone knows how physical Josh is...I loved playing alongside him during his time here. He's a fighter and he's a competitor, and Saturday will be no different.

"We know he'll bring a very physical and a very aggressive presence, and I'm looking forward to trying to combat that.

"If enough of us can win our own personal battles then it gives us a better chance of coming out on the right side of the result."

Latics go into the game one points clear of the drop zone, but knowing a victory could see them leapfrogging three clubs - including Exeter - in the table.

"I think any games against a team around you can be deemed a six-pointer," added Kerr. "All games are equally important, but to get three points on Saturday would be massively important.

"It would allow us to go above them in the table and maybe a couple of other teams as well, giving us some breathing room."