Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes the Latics young talent provides a platform for a lasting Premier League legacy. Martinez's side gave themselves breathing space in the battle to avoid relegation with a stoppage-time defeat of struggling Burnley last week.

Wigan lost a number of high-profile players in the calendar year 2009 including Emile Heskey, Wilson Palacios and Antonio Valencia, but former Swansea manager Martinez is pleased with their progress.

The ex-Latics midfielder said: "It has been a huge challenge but I knew that.

"It helps when you come to a football club that I consider home - Wigan brought me to the British game in 1995.

"But the hardest thing is not playing or competing in the Premier League, but to start a new project in it.

"And when you are losing players that have important roles in the team it is even harder.

"We are still in the middle of the challenge and we need to stay in the Premier League.

"If we do that after such a transitional period that would give us a great platform to show the potential we have got.

"I feel we have found a group of players now full of responsibility and desire to win games for Wigan Athletic.

"The quality of this group of young players is exceptional.

"We need to make sure we finish the season on a high and achieve our aim, then we can be a very successful football club for the future."