Wigan bring in second Caldwell to tighten leaky defence
Published:Wigan’s hopes of surviving in the Premier League this season could rest at the feet of the Caldwell brothers after Roberto Martinez decided to sign free agent Steven to partner club captain Gary.
Heavy defeats against Blackpool and Chelsea have left Wigan rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after two games, with the ten goals conceded a particular cause for concern.
Wigan are 4/5 to suffer relegation to the Championship this season, with new recruits Steve Gohouri and Antolin Alcaraz proving an unsuccessful central defensive pairing to date.
Gary is still recovering from undergoing two hip replacements over the summer, but the paperwork has been completed to enable his older brother to be included in Wigan’s Carling Cup game against Hartlepool.
Steven has signed a one-year-deal after impressing in a trial at Wigan following his departure from Burnley over the summer.
He said: “Gary has of course told me what the club is like and how impressed he has been with the set up here and I am delighted to have sorted out my future now.
“I have already got to know the lads over the past few weeks and I can’t wait to get started and fight for my place.”
Wigan were the only Premier League team to be eliminated from the League Cup at the second round stage a year ago and another upset could be on the cards at the League One outfit.
Hartlepool are still unbeaten this season and have already knocked Sheffield United out of the Carling Cup in the first round.
They are 11/4 to win in the 90 minutes, with Wigan available at evens.
James Brown grabbed Hartlepool’s opener in their 2-0 triumph over Sheffield United and is 8/1 to be the first goalscorer against Wigan.
