It could be all change at the DW Stadium as one keeper arrives whilst another is linked with rumours taking him away from Wigan and a third leaves for sunnier pastures albeit temporarily.

 

Serbian keeper Vladimir Stojkovic has joined on a season-long loan from Sporting Lisbon after a spell also on loan at Getafe. The 26 year-old is the Serb number one and is likely to be in the squad for South Africa in the summer. He is almost certain to face a new team-mate - Chris Kirkland’s number two Richard Kingson - who is linking up with the Ghana squad for the African Nations Cup and will also expect to be in South Africa, in the same group as Serbia. Latics boss Roberto Martinez is delighted to have brought in additional cover for Kirkland. “Vladimir is a highly experienced keeper who is the number-one choice in his home country," said Martinez, "That shows you the calibre of professional we are signing, as a player but also in terms of his character and determination to succeed. He will add tremendous competition for places in the goalkeeping department, something which we need everywhere on the pitch."

Kirkland, meanwhile, has been linked with a move away from the DW with former boss Steve Bruce, now in charge at Premier League rivals Sunderland, reportedly one of the interested parties. Kirkland could be the third Wigan keeper involved in the World Cup finals if he remains fit and on form as he is certainly on Fabio Capello’s radar.