• Premier League

Martinez swerves talk on Rodallega's future

ESPN staff
February 2, 2012
Hugo Rodallega is out of contract in the summer © Getty Images
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Roberto Martinez was delighted to hang onto striker Hugo Rodallega during the January transfer window, but was coy on the chances of the Colombian staying at Wigan beyond the end of the season.

Rodallega looked to be heading to Fulham on deadline day after Wigan reportedly agreed a swap deal involving Andy Johnson, but the deal fell through.

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.

Rodallega is out of contract in the summer and has already signalled his intention to leave at the end of the season and he has also been linked with a move to Tottenham.

But Martinez, who believes Rodallega is worth more to Wigan if he can help the Latics avoid relegation again, refused to look beyond the end of the season, and believes Rodallega, who has scored twice in his last three matches, can help turn his side's season around.

"I am delighted that a player of the quality of Hugo is with us for the next 15 games," Martinez said. "Everything else is not a worry at all.

"Hugo has shown over the last few seasons how important, how effective and what an impact he can have on a football pitch and we need to make sure that he is as sharp as he has always been. He needs to fully recover from his small soft-tissue injury and make sure he is ready for the run-in to the season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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