Wigan Athletic manager Malky Mackay says new signing Jermaine Pennant wants to show the world he still has ability.

pennant
Mackay believes in the ability of Pennant

After being released by Stoke City, Pennant joined Indian Super League team FC Pune City, but was then released by them last summer.

Championship strugglers Wigan have now picked him up and the ex-Liverpool winger signed a deal until the end of the season last weekend.

Malky Mackay told Sports Mole: "The finances were done in about two minutes, he had no interest in it being anything about money.

"He took what was offered and he wanted the chance to play football and show people that he's still got ability. There was a point where he went to India for the four months and now he just wants to get back into this country and try to perform.

"There's a reason Liverpool signed him, he's played for Birmingham, Stoke. There's an infectious nature to him, he has a terrific smile. I didn't know anything about him but I've been impressed with the boy I've met."

Pennant could make his debut tonight against Mackay's former side Cardiff City tonight, a game which the Cardiff board will reportedly boycott.

Malky Mackay was controversially sacked by Cardiff City in the Premier League last year, but over the summer it came out that the reasoon was for sending sexist, homophobic and racist texts.

Vincent Tan has told the Bluebirds board to boycott the match as he believes Wigan are owned and managed by racists, after owner Dave Whelan made racist comments towards Chinese and Jewish people.

Wigan are currently 23rd in the Sky Bet Championship and are struggling, having accumulated a mere 25 points this season.