Martinez urges Wigan trio to forget contracts

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has told three of his players discussions over new deals cannot take place until survival is assured.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has told three of his players discussions over new deals cannot take place until survival is assured.

Franco Di Santo, Maynor Figueroa and Antolin Alcaraz will be able to leave the DW Stadium for free at the end of the season if they do not agree extensions to their contracts.

Martinez insists retaining the club’s top-flight status should be the players’ sole priority at the moment.

“We need to stay in the Premier League to be successful,” the Spaniard told The Mirror. “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.”

The 39-year-old is delighted all three players have not been distracted by their uncertain futures.

Martinez said: “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.”

Martinez also discussed the club’s failure to capture January transfer window targets Aiden McGeady and John Stones.

Of McGeady, he said: “It just wasn’t meant to happen. For one reason or another the deal broke down.

“I admire Aiden McGeady, he is a very talented footballer, he has got a big future. When you like a player you always like a player.”

And on defender Stones, who eventually joined Everton, he said: “One of the big signings we were trying was for the future. I don’t think that signing would have affected our results to the end of the season.”