Wigan Athletic return on the cards for former Premier League midfielder

Ryan Trevitt spent last season on loan with Latics from Premier League Brentford, although injury prevented him from showing his best form.

The 23-year-old was restricted to only 14 appearances - with all but three of them coming before the home defeat to Cardiff City on September 27, when he sustained a serious thigh problem, that led indirectly to hernia surgery.

He recovered to play three times off the bench in April, but the sight of him limping off at Port Vale on April 19 – shortly after coming on – summed up his fortunes.

However, Latics boss Gary Caldwell has long admired Trevitt, having previously taken him on loan to Exeter City twice.

And with the player having been released by Brentford this summer, the chance to pick him up on a free transfer is understandably an attractive one.

Trevitt would have to prove his fitness before putting pen to paper, but the feeling at the club is that Latics could have one of the best midfielders in the division if they manage him correctly.

As one door remains open, another looks like it could be closing, with regards to Latics' hopes of retaining the services of Matt Smith.

The former Arsenal junior was offered a new deal after his current contract expired this summer, but it remains unsigned.

Latics tabled what they felt to be a fair offer, but the player's representatives clearly felt there would be better options available elsewhere.

Clearly that hasn't been the case, with Smith having still to put to paper - and the new season just over three weeks away.

While Latics haven't officially withdrawn their offer, they have moved on to other targets, having already bolstered their central midfield with the return of Max Power.

Trevitt's potential re-signing would obviously further reduce the chances of Smith staying, but Caldwell and Latics clearly can't afford to wait all summer.

The situation has echoes with that of Jordan Jones a couple of years ago.

The Northern Ireland winger also initially rejected Latics' offer of a new deal in the hope of securing better terms elsewhere.

By the time his agent returned to the table on the eve of the 2024/25 campaign, Latics had signed replacements in his position, leaving Jones in limbo.

Jones actually returned to Wigan on a short-term, emergency basis ahead of the transfer deadline, before joining League Two Carlisle United, who were relegated to the National League at the end of the season.

Fellow out-of-contract midfielder Joe Adams – who was also offered new terms at the end of last term – is expected to sign a short-term deal, possibly until January.

Adams is another who has been plagued by injury, having made only four appearances over the last two years, and he is still not fit at the moment.

But Caldwell wants to have a look at him to gauge whether he has a part to play in the rebuild.

Meanwhile, Baba Adeeko has been spending the week trying to earn a move to League Two outfit Oldham Athletic.

The 23-year-old midfielder was one of five players made available for transfer at the end of last season.

And he has been training with the 'other' Latics with a view to making the short trip across the north west.

The academy product has been hampered by injury for much of the last 18 months, his last appearance for Latics coming almost 10 months ago.

Latics are also hopeful that Jonny Smith, Joseph Hungbo and Ronan Darcy will find new clubs this summer, which would give Caldwell greater scope to bring in his own players for the rebuild.

A fifth player – Maleace Asamoah Jnr – is on loan at Shamrock Rovers, who are in the middle of their domestic campaign.