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McManaman ruled out of European U21 Championship

Callum McManaman has been advised to stay at Wigan © PA Photos

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Wigan winger Callum McManaman has been ruled out for three months with an ankle injury and will miss this summer's European Under-21 Championship.

The 22-year-old, who was the man of the match as Wigan won the FA Cup final, was stretchered off in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, which sealed their relegation to the Championship.

McManaman only made his full Premier League debut in March but his swift rise was capped when he was named in Stuart Pearce's Under-21 party for the June tournament in Israel. Unfortunately for the player, he will now have to withdraw.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said: "Callum McManaman picked up an injury on Tuesday. It is ligament damage in his right ankle.

"The good news is, because we expected the worst, he is going to be out for the best part of three months, probably 10-12 weeks, but probably that puts him out of the Under 21s which is a real shame because he deserves to be there.

"It is such a joy to see him playing his football. It is such a joy for everyone. For me, he has been one of the sparks of the season, not just at Wigan. He has shown us all how to enjoy the game, to be incisive. He has rolled the years back to see the old-fashioned winger, taking people on so he has no reason to feel down at all."

McManaman has been linked with Liverpool after his startling introduction to life in the Premier League but Martinez urged him to stay at Wigan for another season.

He added: "I think if one player needs to stay at the club and become an important part of this football club, it is Callum. Callum has been a phenomenal player for us but he still needs to work at certain aspects to become the player he can be and will be and the Championship to play week in, week out will be perfect for him."

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