Thursday 19 February 2015 16:47, UK
Chris Herd is out for the rest of the season and will return to parent club Aston Villa for surgery on a medial ligament injury.
The 25-year-old Australian joined the Latics on loan in January but featured just three times for Malky Mackay’s side.
Herd picked up the injury at the start of the second half in the 1-0 win over Reading on Wednesday and the Scot admits he will be a huge loss for the remaining 15 matches.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Mackay said: " It is really disappointing, he has been terrific.
“He arrived and was full of enthusiasm and I had a lot of good reports on him, especially from Paul Lambert.
“It is such a big blow to lose someone like him, despite his lack of first-team action.
“We knew straight away that it was a serious one, the way he landed.”
With Herd’s setback adding to Wigan's mounting injury list, Mackay revealed he will be looking to make some additions as he tries to guide the club away from the Championship relegation zone.
One name that has been heavily linked with a move to Lancashire is Jermaine Pennant, and Mackay revealed the former Liverpool winger is on his radar.
"Jermaine has been training with the club,” he said. "I have had a good conversation with him, and he is desperate to come back and prove himself in England.
"He has been playing in India, and could have gone to Thailand, but he has asked if he can come in. He has been a terrific professional the last few days, and we will see what happens."
