Exclusive: Wigan Athletic backed to strike "very good" Birmingham City transfer | OneFootball

The EFL pundit has had his say on the Dion Sanderson to Wigan rumours

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie feels that a move to Wigan Athletic for Dion Sanderson will help bolster the Latics' defence, whilst also giving the centre-back the required game time he isn't getting at Birmingham City.

Sanderson has played just seven times under Chris Davies since the former Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach arrived at St Andrews a year ago, with just two of those appearances coming in League One, and his loan move to Blackburn Rovers during the second half of the season hasn't done anything to sway his manager's opinion.

The 25-year-old was among those left out of the Blues' pre-season squad, and has been omitted from the club's squad numbers this season.

The writing is seemingly on the wall for Sanderson at Birmingham, and Wigan emerged as the side most likely to take on his services, according to an exclusive report from Football League World.

Wigan's transfer focus has switched to defensive arrivals over the last few days. Isaac Mabaya has arrived on loan from Liverpool, and experienced centre-back Morgan Fox joined, having last played for QPR. However, could there be room for another defensive arrival in Sanderson?

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie feels there should be, and a switch would benefit all parties involved.

Lee Hendrie gives his verdict on Wigan Athletic, Dion Sanderson reports

Ryan Lowe's transfer strategy in his first window whilst in charge at The Brick Community Stadium saw him focus primarily on fixing the goalscoring issues at the club, which seemed to have an instant impact as the Tics won 3-1 on opening day against Northampton Town.

But now, with Mabaya and Fox through the door, defensive additions seem to be at the forefront, following a couple of months when none were made.

In an exclusive interview with FLW, EFL pundit Lee Hendrie was questioned on the rumours linking Dion Sanderson to Wigan. He feels that Sanderson is a decent player, but Birmingham's ambitions have simply outgrown the 25-year-old.

"The thing is with Birmingham," he said. "They bring in so many players, and they're not just signing average players, they're really going for a promotion push again.

"Therefore, the likes of Dion Sanderson aren't getting that game time.

"Wigan are trying to take him there...I think he'd be a good signing for them, I really do.

"They're a side who need to have a good go this season, and defensively, it'd be a very good signing for them."

So, in selling Sanderson to Wigan, Birmingham can offload someone they deem surplus to requirements. The 25-year-old gets a fresh start at a side where he may get regular game time, and Wigan themselves get an upgrade on their defence, which in itself was one of the best in the third tier last season.

Dion Sanderson would add to an already impressive Wigan Athletic back line

Last season in League One, only Birmingham City and Wrexham boasted a better goals against record than Wigan. Birmingham's Ryan Allsop and Wrexham's Arthur Okonkwo were the only goalkeepers who kept more league clean sheets than the Latics' Sam Tickle, too.

Wigan haven't lost anyone who played a massive part in that incredible defence last season, but with Lowe coming in and wanting to play with three across the back, the need for defensive cover is massive if his side is to make an outside run at the play-offs this season.

Bringing in players who not only provide competition, but arguably better the current crop at the club, is ideal, and it's arguable that, whilst the likes of Jason Kerr and Will Aimson are incredibly solid at the level, and James Carragher is a bright, young prospect, Sanderson would follow in Fox's footsteps of being someone with years of Championship experience to make the move to Wigan this summer.

The 25-year-old has over 116 second-tier appearances under his belt, and needs to prove to himself and the footballing world that he can still be a solid operator at the level.

Moving to Wigan could help with that, and if he can better their already great defensive stats, then Ryan Lowe may be on his way to a third career promotion as a manager.