Wigan Athletic rock prioritises fitness over future

Chey Dunkley insists any concerns about his Wigan Athletic future are being put on the backburner as he single-mindedly focuses on regaining fitness.
Chey DunkleyChey Dunkley
Chey Dunkley

The big centre-back suffered a badly-broken leg at Reading on February 26 – which would ordinarily have ended his campaign.

That, of course, came before football was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with no sign yet of when – or indeed if – the campaign will resume.

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While Dunkley’s situation is further complicated by the fact his Latics contract expires on June 30, he’s staying calm. “There have been negotiations this year, but obviously things have slowed down because of a number of factors – not least the injury,” he told the Wigan Observer.

“At the time of my injury, we were in the middle of a fight to stay up, then the injury, then the coronavirus...it’s been a few things.

“There have been chats, but my only focus remains on trying to get as fit as I can, as quickly as I can.

“At the moment, the season hasn’t even ended, so my role is to remain totally focused on my rehab.

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“When the time comes to make those kinds of decisions, I’m sure they will be sorted out in due course.

“We’re all in limbo at the moment – not just me, all of the lads. It’s hard to look at anything long-term just now.

“All I can do is look at the things that are controllable to me – going to the gym, doing my rehab, getting back fit.

“To be honest, I’ve not really given much thought to anything away from that.

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“I’m in a position where I’m not able to play football, so it’s hard for me to look at other stuff.

“No one knows what’s around the corner, what may or may not happen in the future. I’d be lying if I told you I knew, because I just don’t know.

“Obviously at some point those things will need to be sorted.

“But it’s not at the forefront of my mind at the moment.”