DeZeeuw on the Mend

The towering centre forward, voted player of the season by the fans, broke his collar bone in the away defeat against Newcastle back in April, putting him out for the final four fixtures of the campaign.

DeZeeuw: hopes to be fit for start of Pre-season

However, Arjan has been putting extra hours in with the physio's at the Latics training ground and is well on course to return in time for the start of pre-season, a major boost for Wigan.

Speaking exclusively to Wigan's official website, the 36-year-old said: "It's feeling good and getting stronger every day. Obviously it was very painful when i broke it but its healed well and the recovery has gone according to plan."

"Pre-season training starts on July 6th and i'm confident i'll be back in full fitness to participate. Without blowing my own trumpet i'm a naturally fit person and i know how to look after myself, so it's all looking positive."

DeZeeuw says his only regret of an otherwise magnificent campaign was missing the season's finale.

He said: "To say it was a great season would be a massive understatement. We surpassed what everyone could have dreamt up for a club like Wigan in their first ever season in the top flight. It's just made me even hungrier and that's why i'm focusing all my efforts on getting fit for the new adventure."

DeZeeuw was sorely missed in the last four seasons, Wigan shipping nine goals during his absence.