Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has admitted that he wouldn't block midfielder James McCarthy from moving to a bigger club.
The 22-year-old netted a brace for the Latics on Saturday to earn them a 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers at the DW Stadium.
Antonio Valencia and Victor Moses have both left Wigan in the last few years for Champions League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea respectively, and Martinez says that he wouldn't be against McCarthy doing the same.
"James McCarthy's got the potential to play anywhere in the world and whenever he's ready we'll never stop him," said Martinez. "But James McCarthy is at a very good club now and we want top players to stay here for as long as we can. That's why I invested a lot of money when he was young. I think technically it is difficult to find a better player.
"At 22 to have the tactical awareness that he has and to be so consistent week in week out, James knows he needs another period of improvement. But from a technical point of view he can play in any team in the world and he will do one day.
"We just enjoy seeing him grow and seeing him enjoy his football and being important player for us and at international setup."
McCarthy has nine caps for the Republic of Ireland.
Matt Cotton
