Latics boss expects McCarthy to stay put

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has indicated he expects James McCarthy to stay at the club for the rest of the season.

Reports have linked McCarthy with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal and Martinez claimed after the midfielder’s two-goal performance in last weekend’s 2-2 Premier League draw with QPR that the 22-year-old had “the potential to play anywhere in the world”.

The Spaniard added that “whenever he’s ready we’ll never stop him” from leaving the club, but Martinez yesterday stressed McCarthy is still developing and says the distraction of transfer talk is the last thing the Republic of Ireland international needs.

“James McCarthy is a young man — at 22 he is still developing.

“One day he will be challenging to win titles and to be in the highest position in the game, there is no two ways about it.

“But he is still developing... the last thing he needs now is to be distracted from his good work and the way he is developing.”