FITNESS BLOW HOLDS UP WEBSTER DEBUT

ANDY WEBSTER may be forced to wait for his Wigan debut because he's not fit.

The 24-year-old Scotland defender was this week cleared by FIFA to return to action after a landmark ruling allowing him to leave Hearts three years into a four-year contract.

He had been frozen out at Tynecastle, apparently at owner Vladimir Romanov's behest, because he refused to sign a new deal.

After FIFA finally gave him the go-ahead to play for Wigan, he had been hoping to make his English Premiership bow against Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday.

But boss Paul Jewell hinted Webster may be forced to hang on a while longer.

He said: "It's fantastic to have Andy on board at last as a full member of my squad.

"He looks very assured in training, calm on the ball, with a good touch and very powerful in the air.

"But it is natural that after missing out on a pre-season that he needs to play catch-up a little, fitness-wise.

"At 24, his best years are ahead of him and I am really delighted to have him."

Taken from the Daily Record