Wigan Athletic have announced their pre-season schedule as Gary Caldwell’s side prepare to open their Sky Bet League One account.
In early July, after a week-long training camp in Spain, Latics’ players will make trips to Vanarama Conference side Altrincham on July 14 and Southport on July 18.
The squad will then face Scottish Premiership sides Partick Thistle on July 21 and Dundee on July 24 before heading to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers on August 1.
No home games are planned as of yet with players’ set to return to training on June 25.
Since being relegated to League One, chairman David Sharpe has admitted to having very long meetings with Caldwell as they aim to get Wigan back into the Championship.
He said: “There is a heavy focus on recruitment as last summer; the recruitment wasn’t good enough, as we’ve seen, and it’s had its effects this season.
“It’s something we need to get right, and we’re putting in place a new recruitment team to try and make sure the players we’re trying to bring in are the right ones.
“We’re looking at young, hungry players between the ages of 24-27, ones who have done it before, who know what it’s like to win promotion, who are willing to learn and put in the hours.”
Latics have already been linked with Bristol City striker Jay-Emmanuel Thomas and Tranmere midfielder Max Power.
They will also be trying to hold onto James McClean, who has been strongly linked with a move away, and loanees such as Rob Kiernan.
Sharpe added: “Looking forward, once we win promotion, we’ll then have a core of players who can fight for promotion back to the Premier League the following season.”
Main image courtesy of Wigan Athletic via YouTube, with thanks.
