Latics set to unleash Di Santo

Di Santo set to make Latics debut against Black Cats

By Razwan Mirza   Last updated: 7th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Latics set to unleash Di Santo

Di Santo: Last ditch signing

SKY SPORTS ON SKY

There's more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you'll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is excited at the prospect of giving Franco Di Santo his debut for the club.

The Latics boss is hopeful the 21-year-old will make an instant impact at the DW Stadium.

The Lancashire outfit snapped up Argentina youngster on a three-year deal from Premier League champions Chelsea on transfer deadline day for a fee believed to be in excess of £1million.

The former Blackburn Rovers loanee could make his first start at home to Sunderland on Saturday.

Martinez said: "For us to bring Franco in on an permanent basis is an important statement.

"He is someone that we want to develop but someone that we need to bring that competition up front and I think he can develop into a top, top striker in the Premier League and in world football.

Excited

"I think he can play for Argentina and is someone we have very high hopes for.

"He had to leave Chelsea just to progress his career.

"We're so excited about him as a human being and as a player.

"Technically he's a player that is probably better than his physique, very powerful in the last third and good movement.

"He's played 4-3-3 with Chelsea and I think he's ready.

"The last year he had at Blackburn was as good a settling period as you're going to get."

Relegation

Meanwhile former midfielder Paul Scharner believes Wigan will be relegated from the top flight this season.

The 30-year-old is now with West Brom having been released by the Latics at the end of last season.

He said: "I fear the squad left does not have enough experience this time."