Wigan Athletic could wrap up the League One title this weekend with a victory over Shrewsbury - and their chances will be aided massively if James McClean could return to the fold, with Leam Richardson not ruling it out to Wigan Today.

The 33-year-old re-joined the Latics this season to take part in his first ever third tier campaign and he has thrived.

He's been one of the club's most productive outlets, with nine goals and six assists in 32 games, and has been influential in helping get the club into the top two, with Wigan needing only to avoid defeat on the final day to seal automatic promotion, while bettering Rotherham's result would secure them the title.

McClean has ended up a crucial member of the team but has had to sit on the sidelines in recent weeks while his side falter and struggle to pick up points.

 

 

Having been injured in the derby game against Bolton, McClean has since seen his team lost to Cambridge and Portsmouth and only manage draws against Burton, Ipswich and Plymouth. It means that out of a possible 21 points that they could have won while the player was sidelined, they have picked up only nine.

He's been a big miss to the first-team then - and the good news ahead of this potential title-decider against Shrewsbury at the weekend is that Leam Richardson hasn't ruled out the prospect of a return for the forward to Wigan Today.

Speaking about the player, Richardson said: "James is doing his rehab, and we're not going to pre-empt anything or rush anybody back. We have a duty of care to the players first and foremost.

"If he's available and fit, he'll be the first one to put his hand up for selection." Richardson then could have a valuable option back for the weekend - and if he does end up even featuring in a cameo role, then his efforts offensively could be the difference between merely automatic promotion and a title parade for the Latics come the end of the season. The Verdict James McClean may have had over a decade in the EFL and he may be 33-years-old now but that has now slowed him down and, if anything, has made him better than ever. For Wigan this year, the player has managed more goals than he has ever scored in any season throughout his career. In fact, if he manages to add another to his tally at the weekend - whether through a cameo or not - it would take his goals scored to double digits for the first time ever. He's certainly found a home he can settle into with the Latics then and has proven that at least at League One level, he can be one of the better players in the entire division. His absence in the side has been clearly felt through their lack of results since - and it begs the question of whether or not they would have wrapped up the title sooner with him still in the mix. However, they can still achieve victory this weekend - and if McClean can be a part of it, then even better for Leam Richardson's side.