Wigan boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that the Latics were the third club which made an offer for Darren Bent prior to the striker joining Charlton for £2.5 million earlier this month. TWTD reported at the time that Wigan and Sunderland were the two sides which lost out to the the Addicks.

Jewell says the Lancastrians could have matched Charlton's offer, perhaps indicating that the deal taking Bent to the Valley had been done prior to his club's interest: "We were in for Ipswich striker Darren Bent last week and could have competed financially with Charlton, but we missed out.

"It's difficult to persuade players that we intend to stay in the Premiership and maybe they see us as a risk.

"But I want to send the message that we don't intend to be tourists next season, enjoying the ride and the view at all the big stadiums."

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