• Premier League

Martinez ready to take Rodallega gamble

ESPN staff
January 16, 2012
Hugo Rodallega has scored just one goal this season © Getty Images
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Roberto Martinez is willing to risk losing Hugo Rodallega for free in the summer in order to keep hold of his star striker for the rest of the season.

Rodallega is out of contract in the summer, but Martinez has no intention of cashing in on the Colombian in the January transfer window, believing Rodallega is worth more to the club if he can help the Latics avoid relegation again.

Rodallega scored the winner against Stoke as Wigan clinched survival on the final day of last season, and Martinez believes the 26-year-old is capable of repeating the feat this term.

"We don't have the money which other clubs have got to invest," Martinez said. "But the benefit is that we don't have to sell players either.

"And it is much more important to keep Hugo playing for us until the end of the season than trying to cash in on him right now. We want him to concentrate on his football and getting back to his best. Then we will have to see where we are at the end of the season."

Rodallega has scored just once in 15 Premier League games as Wigan currently sit bottom of the Premier League, but Martinez is confident the Colombian can rediscover his form to help boost the Latics' survival chances.

"Any player can have a dip in form and we have got to help him get back to himself with the team," he said. "He has it in his DNA to play against the top sides."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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