Yanic Wildschut could soon be back at Latics

The January transfer window is now in full swing and it gives Gary Caldwell an opportunity to strengthen his squad going into the second half of the season.

Caldwell has already transformed the playing staff and made good use of the loan system, but several of those players have now gone back to their host clubs and Caldwell will be looking to improve the squad by bringing in more quality for the promotion push.

Striker Alex Revell has gone back to Cardiff City and Francisco Junior has suffered a hernia and returned to Everton.

But the big news is that Latics have agreed a transfer fee with Middlesbrough and are in negotiations with fans’ favourite Yanic Wildschut and he could be available for Tuesday’s game versus Sheffield United.

Latics have already signed the promising young Torquay United keeper Dan Lavercombe. The 19-year-old stopper had been attracting interest from Liverpool, Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton but Latics won the race to secure his signature.

The player will be loaned back to Torquay for the rest of this season but will train with Latics from Monday to Thursday.

Latics have also added the Macclesfield Town midfielder Danny Whitehead. The 22-year-old former West Ham player is regarded as one for the future and will be loaned back to the Cheshire club for the rest of the season.

The club have also been linked with the combative Chesterfield midfielder Sam Morsy, but the recent arrival of Danny Wilson as the new Spireites manager may have put a stop to any potential deal.

Wigan are trying to sign the Oldham Athletic captain Liam Kelly and it looks likely that the transfer will go ahead. The clubs are believed to be in advanced negotiations for the 25-year-old.

The Scottish midfielder would no doubt relish the opportunity to swap a relegation battle for a promotion campaign.

Caldwell has identified a big shopping list for this transfer window. The range of players interesting the manager demonstrates the club’s desire to make progress.

Some of the players identified are ones for the future, but others such as Yanic Wildschut and Liam Kelly will be expected to have a big impact on Latics’ promotion chances in the second half of the season.

This article was first published in the 12th Man column for the Wigan Evening Post on Saturday 9th January 2016.