Manager looks ahead to trip to Doncaster Rovers this weekend.

Leam Richardson | “Really looking forward to return to league action”
Wigan Athletic manager previews his side’s visit to the Eco-Power Stadium this weekend
Richardson on new signing Josh Magennis: “Josh is a solid professional, he knows his way around the pitch, he’s very experienced and he will add goals to our team with his qualities.”

Wigan Athletic manager Leam Richardson says new addition Josh Magennis is a “big character” for Latics’ dressing room and that he’s confident the Northern Ireland international will add further goals to Latics’ already prolific frontline.

Magennis, 30, joined up with his new teammates on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s trip to Doncaster Rovers in Sky Bet League One and Richardson said the former Hull City man is a strong addition to his group.

“Josh is a solid professional, he knows his way around the pitch, he’s very experienced and he will add goals to our team with his qualities,” Richardson explained.

“He’s a big character for the lads in the dressing room and on the pitch he’s an even bigger character. He knows a few of the lads already and he will certainly bring that experience and will be fundamental in the way we play in those areas of the pitch where he can get goals and bring other people into play.

“It is always a whirlwind of a week; he’s been in and done a medical, trained a couple of days with the lads and will be on the coach travelling with them.

“It’s good that he’s in straight away, the lads will obviously welcome him, we’ve got a fantastic group of players and I don’t think Josh needs any introduction, he will certainly impose himself on the group once he’s comfortable.”

Latics play their first league game of 2022 on Saturday and their first match in Sky Bet League One in four weeks.

While the break has been frustrating, Richardson is keen to get back to the bread and butter of league action after postponements and positive results in both the Emirates FA Cup and Papa John’s Trophy.

And he’ll be looking to draw on positive outcomes on each of Latics’ last two visits to Doncaster.

“We are really looking forward to returning to league action; having not played over the festive period, which was a little bit frustrating,” Richardson said.

“We have had a couple of Cup games since then, though, and the lads have trained tirelessly hard.”

“It’s a tough place to go but certainly [we’ve had good days] in our last couple of fixtures there with Griggy’s [Will Grigg] winner there for the league title in 2018 and the win last season at the start of a mini group of games that we managed to win that ultimately kept us in the league last year. Fingers crossed it is another one of those days.”

And Latics will come up against familiar faces in the form of former players Jordy Hiwula and Omar Bogle, and more recently Dan Gardner and Joe Dodoo who helped Richardson’s side to secure League One survival last season.

On the latter two – who Richardson has worked with at Latics – he hopes for a positive reception for their efforts last season.

“Dan [Gardner] and Joe [Dodoo] were part of our journey last year and I am sure they will get a good reception from our fans,” he added.

“[They’re] Both great lads, great professionals and I’ve worked with Dan a couple of times with Chesterfield too so I know him well. The work ethic from them both last year will never go unnoticed.”

Leam Richardson | “Really looking forward to return to league action”