High praise for McCarthy after Wigan victory

ROBERTO MARTINEZ hailed James McCarthy after the Ireland midfielder scored twice to inspire Wigan to victory over Blackburn in a seven-goal thriller at the DW Stadium.

McCarthy only returned to the side last month after three months out with an ankle injury Martinez was effusive in his praise for the 20-year-old.

“We missed him too much,” the Spaniard said. “He started the season really, really well and you quickly forget in football how good a player can be or what an impact he can have on the squad.