Wigan turned down Nugent

Needless to say it's all history now and the Latics made it to the Premiership, but that young striker has gone on to flourish in a Preston side that is hoping for promotion to the top flight this time around.

Preston and England striker David Nugent

Former Wigan Athletic boss Graham Barrow was in charge at League Two Bury - Nugent's former club - when he was told by the chairman that the Shakers needed £35,000 to stay a float.

In short, he needed to sell his prised asset and goalscorer, David Nugent. Barrow comments: "We'd been into administration and had got knocked out of the FA Cup - it got to the stage where we only had four days to sell him.

"Bury said they needed £35,000, but I new I could get a lot more for David - he'd got 12 goals fors before Christmas.

"I rang up quite few clubs in the north west to see if they would be interested. I rang Wigan, but they were flying at the time with Ellington and Roberts scoring for fun. They were on fire and well on the way to promotion.

"I'm not sure if Wigan ever scouted him. But Preston were the only club who were interested and we ended up sellng him for £100,000. At that price they still got him for a snip."

Nugent has gone on to make an impression for both club and country. Just last week he became a full England international, making his debut against Andorra, even managing a goal in what was a poor game.

Meanwhile, his former manager has no doubt that his former prodigy will go on to grace the top stage. Barrow added: "He's done really well for the U21's and won't look out of place now he's moved up. He's worth what they're saying. He's certainly good enough to play in the Premiership."