Wigan Athletic's rivals eye crucial winter transfers as Latics man sees contract terminated

Wigan Athletic faced Burton Albion in League One last Saturday, with the clash ending in a memorable 4-3 win for the Latics

Wigan side are pencilled in to return in league against Rochdale this weekend.

In the table, the Latics occupy 23rd spot, with 19 points from 20 played and two points adrift of safety.

Interestingly, rivals Fleetwood Town are still yet to appoint Joey Barton’s successor after the former Newcastle United midfielder left the club last week.

A host of names have been linked with the vacancy including Simon Wiles and Tim Cahill.

But there’s also plenty of transfer talk ahead of an interesting transfer window for many clubs up and down the EFL pyramid.

So what’s the latest gossip surrounding Wigan and their League One rivals?

As always, we’re sharing the latest rumours from around the third tier – so scroll down to see the latest news and talk from around the internet:

Kal Naismith has left Wigan Athletic. A club statement read: “Naismith, 28, had five months left to run on his Latics contract and requested to the Joint Administrators that his contract be terminated to allow him to pursue a new opportunity.” (Wigan Athletic – official club site)

Hibernian have been approached by the Sunderland this month and asked to name their price for Kevin Nisbet. (Scottish Sun)

Indeed, Nisbet would be a “great signing” for Sunderland both in a football and financial sense, according to Kevin Phillips. (Football Insider)

Roy Keane wants to return to management. The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder has been focusing on punditry since leaving his role as assistant manager at Nottingham Forest in 2019. (Sun on Sunday)

Ipswich Town’s 19-year-old centre back Elkan Baggott has turned down the offer of a new contract from Ipswich, with his current deal set to expire this summer, Leeds and West Ham are both said to be keen to bring Baggott to the Premier League. (Football Insider)

Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett has confirmed that the Blues are not expecting to sign anyone imminently, despite being linked with Shrewsbury Town’s Charlie Daniels, whose contract with the Salop is set to expire this month and Manchester United midfielder Dylan Levitt, who was recently recalled after a loan spell with Charlton Athletic. (Portsmouth News)

Blackpool are keen on a move for Wigan Athletic’s Kyle Joseph but face competition from Tottenham and Rangers. (Alan Nixon – personal Twitter account)

There will be money to spend at Hull City during the January transfer window, according to head coach Grant McCann. But the Tigers’ head coach also confirmed that youngster Keane Lewis-Porter is not for sale. (Various)

St Johnstone full-back Scott Tanser has been linked with a winter move to Sunderland and Barnsley - but says the interest is ‘just speculation’. (The Herald)

Manchester United starlet Ethan Laird has joined MK Dons on loan for the rest of the season. (Various)