Latics seal double swoop

Last updated : 19 January 2006 By Paul Farrington
New Boys: Neil Mellor and David Thompson
23 year old striker, Mellor, has joined on loan until the end of the season from near neighbours Liverpool.

Mellor has had time on loan at West Ham were he managed to net twice, and he has bagged six goals for his hometown club Liverpool.

Chances have been limited for the highly regarded striker at Anfield. Cisse, Crouch, Morientes, Pongolle and Garcia are ahead of him in the pecking order, and Mellor feels it is time to get first team football.

David Thompson has also joined until the end of the season, he has come from Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers.

28 year old Thompson has previously played for Liverpool and Coventry before a move to Ewood Park. He cost Coventry £3million and was very highly thought of during his spell at Highfield Road. The combative midfielder went close to earnnig a place in the England national team.

Slight of build, Thompson will add plenty of bite into the Latics midfield, alongside a useful eye for goal.

Paul Jewell told the club's official website: "Both lads will bring us a new dimension, and add competition to the squad which we need at the present time.

"David is a great passer of the ball with lots of Premiership experience. He has quick feet and has the ability to unlock defences with his passing range and an eye for goal.

"Neil is a good young striker who is looking for a chance to prove himself again at this level. He is strong and skilful with an eye for goal. I'm delighted to have both on board."

The addition of these two players leaves the Wigan squad looking much more healthy, both in terms of numbers and perhaps more importantly, quality.

Both players will go into the squad for Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough.

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Neil Mellor (Wigan) Information
Date of birth
4 November 1982
Height
6.0
Place of birth
Manchester, England
Weight
13.7
Nationality
England
Position
Forward
Comments
Loan - 33 at Liverpool
Squad No.

Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards)
Team
DebutApps (+ sub)GoalsYellowsReds
26/10/200411 (5)520
09/08/20039 (12)200
04/12/20024 (2)100
Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards)
Season
First App.Apps (+ sub)GoalsYellowsReds
26/10/200411 (5)520
09/08/20039 (12)200
04/12/20024 (2)100
Appearances 24 (+ 19 as sub); Goals 8; Yellow cards 2; Red cards 0

David Thompson (Wigan) Information
Date of birth
12 September 1977
Height
5.7
Place of birth
Birkenhead, England
Weight
11.0
Nationality
England
Position
Midfield
Comments
Squad No.

Recent Career History By Club (1999 onwards)
Team
DebutApps (+ sub)GoalsYellowsReds
31/08/200264 (20)10201
19/08/200065 (6)16223
18 (6)010
Recent Career History By Season (1999 onwards)
Season
First App.Apps (+ sub)GoalsYellowsReds
19/11/20053 (5)110
28/08/200416 (14)241
16/08/200313 (1)160
13/08/200236 (0)6100
11/08/200138 (2)13112
19/08/200023 (4)3101
21/09/199917 (6)000
24/04/19991 (0)010
Appearances 147 (+ 32 as sub); Goals 26; Yellow cards 43; Red cards 4