Free agent Anthony Gerrard, had a run-out for the reserves to help boost his fitness levels when the Latics played at Wigan Athletic in a a behind-closed-doors game. Gerrard, who has offered Athletic first refusal on a contract has recently been training with the squad and is now about a month away from full fitness.
Stephen Robinson said, “Anthony is a good three or four weeks away. He knows how to play the game and doesn't have to be 100-per-cent fit to play. He is an old-school character, similar to Peter Clarke and Paul Green, and I'm not sure you can have enough of those sorts of players around the place. We are well aware that if we get a knock or a suspension, we are light in that (centre-back) area.”
“We know what a fit and mentally right Anthony Gerrard would give to the squad. He is someone I want around and I brought him to the (Bolton) game to have a look at how we work and to see if we can get him up to speed before we do anything. At the moment he is using us to get fit and we are trying to get him fit to see if we take that next step. We are well aware what he would bring.”