Wigan Athletic 'forgotten man' ready to make long-awaited return!

The 23-year-old midfielder has endured a deeply frustrating season-long loan from Premier League outfit Brentford.

After a promising start to his Latics career, Trevitt has been sidelined since suffering a serious thigh injury against Cardiff City on September 27.

While back at parent club Brentford, a hernia issue was identified, which required surgery and another lengthy lay-off.

Latics renegotiated his contract in January, easing their financial burden, while the player's availability for the rest of the season remained uncertain.

However, new boss Gary Caldwell has confirmed there is light at the end of the tunnel - which he has special reason to be excited about.

"Ryan is someone I know very well, I've signed him twice before for Exeter on loan," he said. "And it would be great to have him back and available before the end of the season.

"He's only part trained so far, but he will be back in full training next week, and I would imagine the first game that he might be available to come off the bench would be Mansfield (on April 11).

"Ryan's a player of real quality, and it's a shame his career has been hindered a little bit up to this point because of injuries...sometimes not always his fault.

"I remember him picking up an ankle injury at Exeter when he put himself into a goalscoring position, and collided with the goalkeeper, which led to a nasty ankle injury.

"I know he's had some muscular problems since then, but for me he is a player that - at his very best - can be one of the best players at this level, and probably higher.

"To have him available for the last five games, or whatever that might be, would be a huge help to the team.

"He can do everything - he has a quality to receive the ball and play forwards, he can score goals by arriving late on his long runs, he has great energy out of possession.

"His ability is not in doubt. For me, it's about helping Ryan to be in the very best physical shape he can be, which will allow him to perform at that level week in, week out, on a consistent basis.

"Because if he can do that, I've always said to him, his potential is huge. He's still young enough to do that, and if we can get him going this season, we'll see where that takes his career."

There was also positive news on fellow midfielders Baba Adeeko (hamstring) and Tyrese Francois (calf).

By a huge twist of fate, Adeeko's last appearance was as a 55th-minute substitute when he took over from Trevitt against Cardiff last September.

Francois, meanwhile, hasn't played since the home defeat to Bolton Wanderers in mid-January.

"We're hoping to have both available very soon, both have trained this week," added Caldwell. "Baba’s slightly in front of Tyrese, but it's been great to see both of them back on the grass.

"So with Ryan also being back with us, that competition - having more players available - makes my job harder, but also a lot easier in terms of the amount of quality we have."