Manager John Sheridan has reacted quickly to bring in a goalkeeper after teenager Ryan Smith became the fifth keeper to go down injured when he twisted his knee in training. Shez has brought in ex-Everton keeper Andrew Pettinger on trial. Everton paid £45,000 when they took 15 year old Pettinger to Goodison Park in April 2000. 22 year old Pettinger impressed enough to get a squad number and made the bench for a game away at Southampton. After successful season's in the same team as the young Wayne Rooney Pettinger left the club in September 2002 and joined Grimsby Town before drifting into non-league football. The Latics coaching staff will be following his progress at Boundary Park before making a final decision.
Pettinger played in last night's Reserve game against Bolton Wanderers and although he didn't have much to do, he showed promise. It was an easy game which also saw Eddie Stanford make his debut when he came on to replace Stephen Cooney in the 60th. minute of the game. Stanford was also impressive and he laid on the last two goals in a game where the second string demolished Bolton 6-0.