Last Updated: Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:49
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has signalled his intention to keep highly-rated Lee Cattermole at the DW Stadium.
The 21-year-old former Middlesbrough youngster was a surprise £3.5m Steve Bruce signing last summer and the former Latics chief has been linked with a reunion with him at Sunderland.
However, with Cattermole still well under contract and Martinez a big fan, it appears he is going nowhere.
Martinez told the Evening Post: "I am not worried about the situation with Lee, as he is still a young man and you want that interest. I want the top clubs in world football to be talking about our players and about our football club.
"I prefer that to people not talking about our players. That is always a bad sign. It is down to us to keep progressing and making sure we are allowing these players to remain motivated and have the incentive to continue progressing. That should be part of our growth as a club - and we need players like Lee around to do that."
The Spaniard added: "It is important that Lee has his targets and keeps developing as a player, and we hope he can fulfil his potential."