Wigan Athletic star can become the '˜complete footballer'

Powell helped Latics draw 2-2 at League One leaders Blackburn on Sunday, which keeps the visitors in the box seat with four games in hand.

A crucial assist enabled Michael Jacobs to fire home the first Latics goal, via a slight deflection off Will Grigg, before Max Power later levelled.

And the way Powell showed his versatility in the second half to cover in centre midfield, when Power switched to right-back, underlined his importance to the cause.

“Powelly’s right up there,” enthused Hunt.

“He does things in training all the time, you see the tricks he has. But he’s got everything you need to be a complete footballer.”

Hunt didn’t even make the bench at Ewood, with boss Paul Cook facing a daunting choice to even select a bench at the moment.

“You can imagine how difficult it is for me to leave out Noel,” revealed Cook.

“He deserves a massive pat on the back for the way he conducts himself. He’s an absolute credit to himself.”