"Can’t say I’m happy" - Wigan Athletic warned against offloading winger as Crewe & Burton circle | OneFootball

FLW's Wigan Athletic fan pundit has given his verdict on the future of Dion Rankine amid speculation over a loan move

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Dion Rankine is facing an uncertain immediate future with Wigan Athletic amid interest from the likes of Crewe Alexandra.

It has been reported by Wigan Today that Crewe are among the sides eyeing the 22-year-old winger this summer.

Barrow and Burton Albion have also been mentioned as potential destinations for a season-long loan.

It’s understood that Wigan are open to the move for the winger due to a lack of possible fit in Ryan Lowe’s tactical plans for the upcoming campaign.

Dion Rankine departure claim

When asked if he’d be happy to see Rankine go, FLW’s Wigan fan pundit Corey Bissell claimed he would prefer to see him stay.

While he believes a loan deal would be okay, he’s optimistic that the player can fit in Lowe’s plans due to his experience as a wing-back when he was at Exeter City previously.

“No, wing-backs are something that we are suffering with a lack of depth in,” Bissell told Football League World.

“And obviously Dion played that role effectively for Exeter before he came here, so I can’t say I’m happy to see him go.

“Obviously, a loan deal is better for us because off the back of his previous season you’re not going to get any value out of him.

“So, a loan deal is probably best for him, for us.

“If it was to be a permanent deal at this stage, I’d imagine the money wouldn’t quite be as good, so I wouldn’t be as happy, but a loan deal is fine.”

Wigan will get their campaign underway with a home clash against Northampton Town on 2 August.

Loan deal might just suit all parties for Rankine at this stage

It could be worthwhile to give Rankine a few weeks in the season to see if he can prove to Lowe that he has a role in the side.

But, if not, then a loan might be a sensible option at this stage as it will give the winger a chance to get regular game time, and possibly create a market for a permanent move at a later date.

It is still July, so Wigan shouldn’t rush into any decisions yet if there is already some interest being generated in a loan.

It’s unlikely his departure on loan would help fund other moves, so keeping him for a couple of games might add some depth temporarily while Wigan sort out any of their remaining transfer moves.