Wigan Athletic star 'will decide whether he stays or goes', amid Oldham Athletic interest

The 20-year-old - who spent time with non-league Oldham Athletic in the second half of last term, before returning after sustaining a foot injury - was tipped by the Latics boss to make the step up this term into the Wigan first-team fold.

However, after a patchy pre-season, Stones was left out of the matchday squad for last weekend's victory over Crawley Town.

And after adding Nottingham Forest striker Dale Taylor to his squad on a season-long loan, Maloney admits another loan - with Oldham again desperate to take him - could be on the cards.

When asked by Wigan Today whether he thought Stones would be staying or going, Maloney replied: "Maybe a bit of both at the moment...I think that's up in the air.

"I'll speak to Josh in the next couple of days. I really like him, and what I don't want to do is anything that will cause him to not have minutes in the next three or four months.

"But I'm also quite keen that if he wants to stay and fight for a place, then he knows if he does well he will get those minutes here.

"So I'll leave this to Josh, and I'm definitely not unhappy with him, it's what he wants to do. If he wants to stay and fight, I'm more than happy for him to do that.

"Stonesey didn't make the squad in the last game, there's things he needs to improve on, but he knows I'm a big fan of what he can do.

"For sure, you can concentrate on what he doesn't do, but he brings plenty of energy, he can compete incredibly well, he has some big attributes so we're not in a position to lose him."

Earlier this summer, Stones spoke about his desire to establish himself at Wigan after his time at Oldham.

“Getting minutes here and there for Wigan was massive for me,” he said. “But to then go to Oldham and showing what I can do, it was good for myself. I want to prove to myself and others, and I can’t wait to get going.”