Wigan boss Roberto Martinez puts contract talks on hold with star trio
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez wants the club's contract rebels to put Premier League survival before their own futures.
By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: @skysportspeteo
Last Updated: 22/02/13 9:25am
South American trio Franco di Santo, Maynor Figueroa and Antolin Alcaraz are all out of contract at the end of the season and have yet to agree fresh terms.
Martinez has delayed talks on their futures until the end of the season insisting focusing on their relegation fight is more important.
"What matters most is the football club," Martinez told the Daily Mirror.
"We need to stay in the Premier League to be successful. Once we do that we can go into the individuals. Their contracts count for very little right now.
"It is pointless going into talks when the future is at stake and we are fighting for that. The club is more important - and individuals won't make any decisions either over the next 12 games."
Martinez is happy with the commitment of Di Santo, Figueroa and Alcaraz, having previously left out the likes of Mohamed Diame and Hugo Rodallega because their minds were not on the job with their deals running out.
"You have seen players who were out of contract who lost their places. That wasn't about their contracts, it was their about their levels on the pitch," concluded Martinez.