According to a reliable football journalist, Wigan Athletic are the favourites to land Christian Walton on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Alan Nixon is reporting that Wigan Athletic and Portsmouth are battling it out to sign Christian Walton on loan but Wigan have their "noses in front".

Following their promotion to the Premier League, Brighton and Hove Albion snapped up Australian international goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

This means that Christian Walton is likely to remain as the third choice stopper at the AMEX Stadium and will subsequently be farmed out on loan.

The 21-year-old already has experience at League One and League Two level.

He has previously had loan spells with Bury, Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town and most recently Southend United.

The former England under-21 international is hoping to have a full season of regular playing time so that he can stake a claim for a first team spot at Brighton.

Portsmouth are interested in Walton as they aim to bring in a new goalkeeper.

David Forde was their first choice stopper for the whole of last season but he was only on loan from Millwall.

Wigan Athletic are slightly ahead of Pompey in the queue to sign Christian Walton, though.

The Latics want to bring in the towering 6ft 5in stopper to solve their goalkeeper crisis.

Jussi Jaaskelainen was released and Matt Gilks went to Scunthorpe, leaving Wigan with no senior 'keepers in their ranks.

Wigan and Pompey fans - would Walton be a good signing? Let us know below...