Left-back EriK Edman has returned to training this week after four months out after injuring knee ligaments in the match against Blackburn last May.

The Swedish international trained with his fellow team mates for the first time after enduring a strict rehab programme and assistant manager Eric Black is eager for the player to push for a first team spot.

Black told the Wigan Evening Post: ""Erik managed 20 minutes training with the boys on Monday. It'll be another month before he's back in the picture for the first-team, but he's happy to be with the other players again.

"anyone who has been through rehab for a major injury will tell you that. There's a lot of lonely hours in the gym and training on the weekends on your own when all the other players are away.

"It takes a lot of self-motivation and he's done fantastically."

His imminent return means manager Steve Bruce will have two left-backs to choose from and with Ryan Taylor nearing a return Bruce's options are increasing.

Black added: "We have a got a pretty thin squad, I think we're down to 17 fit out-field players, so the more options we have the better."