Paul Cook can look back on the first-half of the 2018-19 EFL campaign with real optimism going into the New Year.

His Wigan Athletic side have adjusted to life in Championship with ease this season following promotion from League One last term, and sit in a stable position going into 2019.

The Latics have been considered as a "yo-yo" club in recent years, and although the danger of relegation back down to League One this season hasn't been averted just yet, you get the feeling that Cook's men will be a Championship outfit again next term.

The January transfer window is fast approaching, and now is the perfect time for Cook to draw up a list of transfer targets that will hugely help Wigan in cementing their place in the Championship this year.

Here, we take a look at TWO new signings that will give Wigan the perfect start to 2019...

Having been linked with a move to sign Cardiff striker Gary Madine, this could be a huge signing for Wigan.

The 28-year-old is a proven Championship goalscorer - he scored 10 goals for a struggling Bolton side last term, before a move to South Wales failed to work out.

At 6ft 3 he'd give Paul Cook's men a different dimension up top.

Dowell could be the perfect signing to lift Wigan up the table.

He scored 10 goals in all competitions for Nottingham Forest last term and finished up as the Reds' top goalscorer, despite being frozen out in the latter stages of his time at the City Ground.

They'll have to act fast to get him, but he could be the final piece in the jigsaw.