Wigan close on signings

Paul Jewell admits he is close to bringing two new players to the JJB Stadium.

The Lancashire outfit are currently battling with Ipswich and Sunderland to claim an automatic promotion berth, with Jewell keen to bolster his squad for the season's final furlong.

It is widely believed that Cardiff captain Graham Kavanagh is in discussions with the club and will complete a £350,000 move on Friday.

Cardiff will be loath to lose one of their most influential performers but their current financial predicament will force a sale.

Joining Kavanagh at Wigan is likely to be Reading striker Nicky Forster - who will join in a cut-price £150,000 deal as he is out of contract in the summer.

"I've had a busy day (Thursday) but it looks as though we have agreed fees with two clubs for a couple of players,'' Jewell told the club's official website.

''Obviously there is still work to do and therefore it's not fair to name names at this stage. However, I'm pretty confident both deals will go through.

"With a bit of luck the first will be completed tomorrow morning, while the other should be wrapped up early next week.''

Meanwhile, Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence has stated that the South Wales club's woeful financial situation left them with little choice but to sell Kavanagh to their Championship rivals.

"The financial situation at the club has necessitated the sale of Graham Kavanagh to Wigan and it should go through this (Friday) morning in time for him to be available for their game against Ipswich on Saturday," Lawrence said in a statement on the club's official website.

"A very quick decision was necessary and it is one we had to make.

"It will have demoralising effect on the other players, but I believe we can avoid relegation without him, as we have had to go long periods without him previously due to injury."