Wigan want to hang on to duo

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is hopeful of hanging on to talented duo Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios. The players have both been linked with a move to Liverpool and Man Utd in the summer.

"There is interest in both players, and there's bound to be because they are quality," acknowledged Whelan.

"But we haven't had an offer from any club and we hope we won't have any at all.

"We are told their agents have advised them to stay at Wigan for at least another season so that they can continue to learn from Steve Bruce.

"We value them greatly because they're a couple of cracking lads and they seem happy to stay."