No contract concern for Latics

Franco di Santo: Has entered the final year of his current contract

Wigan chief executive Jonathan Jackson has played down fears regarding the number of players to have entered the final year of their contracts.

The Latics have never worked with the biggest of squads and are aware of the need to prevent key figures from being allowed to walk away as free agents.

In-form frontman Franco di Santo and defensive duo Antolin Alcaraz and Maynor Figueroa are among the more high-profile figures who would be able to exit the DW Stadium next summer.

Jackson, though, insists he is 'not unduly concerned' by the situation and claims extension talks have been held with those Roberto Martinez is reluctant to lose.

"There is a lot of time before that would ever become a major concern," he told the Wigan Evening Post.

"We have been talking with some players who are coming up to the end of their contracts now for 18 months, and that will continue.

"It would be unfair for me to comment too much at this stage because it's still early but we're not unduly concerned.

"At the moment we're just concentrating on getting off to a great start in the league and whatever will happen, will happen."

Power

Jackson is, however, prepared to admit that it is imperative for Wigan to have their prized assets tied to long-term deals, allowing them to demand a fee should interest be shown.

"It's not important just to bring top players in, you have to keep hold of the top players you already have," he added.

"That doesn't mean just preventing them from being transferred to another team it means securing their contracts so they can't walk away as free agents.

"We want to keep all of our quality players here but it's not always possible, as we saw last season.

"The players have a lot of power these days, and they have the right to see out their contracts and then have a look at their options.

"You try to do what is right for the football club, but you can only do what is possible."