Jack Byrne joining Wigan on at the death on transfer deadline day was one of the surprise moves of January. It had been expected that the Dubliner, after a disappointing spell at Blackburn, would again leave Man City on loan.
At the time, Wigan manager Warren Joyce - the former Manchester United reserve manager - said Byrne was signed with a long-term outlook in mind.
Despite that statement from Joyce, it has still been disappointing to see that Byrne is yet to make an appearance - even on the bench - for Wigan.
Talking to the Wigan Post this week, Joyce did offer some hope for Byrne's future at the club. Joyce spoke effusively of the 20-year-old's talent while also saying that he's not far from making his first appearance for Wigan.
Jack’s not that far away. If you look at his talent, he’s an unbelievable passer of the ball. I love watching him in the training games - his touch and awareness is different class.
It’s just he hasn’t really played football for six months, before that he was away in Holland, so he’s had quite a long break. He’s been working his socks off behind the scenes to get up to speed.
Wigan are currently second from bottom of the Championship, two points inside the relegation places. Joyce added that there will be opportunities for fringe players to make an impact as the club hope to avoid relegation.
I spoke to all of the players who’ve been out of the side on Thursday, and told them I was looking for someone from that group to springboard into the side, with a freshness, and they could be the ones who make the biggest impact in what we want to achieve. They’ll get opportunities, and they’ve got to be ready to take them when they crop up.
Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
