Transfer Centre

Roberto Martinez: 'Callum McManaman isn't ready to leave Wigan'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 17 May 2013

Roberto Martinez believes that Callum McManaman should stay at Wigan Athletic as he will benefit from a season in the Championship.

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez believes that winger Callum McManaman should stay at the club in order to help improve his game.

The 22-year-old has impressed in the second half of the season, prompting suggestions that the Liverpool-born player could leave the recently-relegated club during the summer transfer window.

"If one player needs to stay at the club and become an important part of this football club, it's Callum," BBC Sport quotes Martinez as saying.

"He's been a phenomenal player for us but he's someone who, at 22, needs to work on certain aspects to become the player he can be. He will be a top, top player, and probably the next 10 months are vital for him to be perfect in the programme that he has to fulfil.

"Probably, the Championship, for him to play week in, week out and have an important role, it will be the perfect challenge for him."

Meanwhile, McManaman will miss this summer's European Under-21 Championships with England after being ruled out for three months with an ankle injury.