New players this week?

John Sheridan is working on bringing in new players, an act that would appease many of the impatient Latics fans. He hopes to bring in a goalkeeper, a central defender, two midfield players and a striker and confesses that negotiations are now at an advanced stage. Sheridan said, “I am hoping one or two signings could be completed by the end of the week as talks have been positive.”

The chances of bringing Luke Beckett (pictured) on a permanent deal are getting slimmer due to Sheridan's reduced spending budget, although Alan Hardy admits that they haven't totally given up hope of landing the player. The Latics option of buying Beckett from Sheffield United for the agreed price of £85,000 expires this week which leaves the doors open to other clubs of which Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield look the favourites.