Wigan boss Shaun Maloney has called on Miguel Azeez to fight for his place and given an injury update on fellow Arsenal loanee Omar Rekik.

The very early signs for Miguel Azeez’s loan spell at Wigan Athletic were promising, with the 20-year-old playing the second half of the first game he was available for, followed by a start the next week.

Then there was an early setback for the midfielder, as he was suspended for picking up a flare and throwing it on his debut.

Azeez served that one-match suspension on February 6th, but he didn’t return to the squad for the next three games.

Wigan boss Shaun Maloney has suggested that has nothing to do with an internal punishment or an injury, Azeez has simply lost his place in the squad.

“Miguel is competing to be in the squad,” Maloney said. “It’s just in that position, I’ve been really pleased with Max Power’s performances, and his understanding of that position.

“We’ve also got Christ (Tiehi), and Tom Naylor, who have also done well and, when players do that, I have to stick with them.

“Miguel has to train hard, be a good team-mate and fight for his spot in the 18.”

Arsenal also loaned Omar Rekik to Wigan in the January window, and Rekik has been absent from matchday squads as well.

But after a strong debut performance, Rekik’s absence is purely related to injury, with Maloney explaining he’s 50/50 for a return this weekend. Wigan travel to Preston North End on Saturday.

“We’ll give Omar until the last moment, we’ll see on that,” Maloney said. “He’s probably looking like 50/50.

“He has a really slight adductor issue, and we have to give him a bit of time.

“He didn’t play a lot of football before he came here, but he has to show me this week he’s fit to play on Saturday.”

Azeez and Rekik already had various setbacks in the first half of the season, hence why both were recalled from their initial loan spells and sent back out to Wigan.

It’s a shame that their new loans have begun in a similar fashion, but there’s still plenty of time to turn things around.