Whelan offers Wigan players Barbados holiday if they stay up

Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan is ready to lay on a Caribbean holiday for his players if they avoid relegation.

Whelan had been watching his club drop into trouble during his lengthy spell at his Barbados base but the way Roberto Martinez's men beat the Kop raised his spirits.

And Whelan is now promising an end-of-season break to the Latics stars if they finish the job and secure their top-flight status for another season.

Whelan has splashed out on the surprise holiday gift before, taking the Wigan staff to Barbados when they beat the drop in their first season in the Premier League, says the Mirror.

Martinez is overjoyed about the result against Liverpool, his first home win in three months and after nine without a victory in the Premier. There had even been whispers that his job was on the line as he tried to make his style work.

He beamed: "Too many people were starting to question the way we play. The reality is that if you work hard for each other and show character you can play against any top team and beat them.

"This is just one step forward. We are far away from our aim of staying in the Premiership and allowing this squad to carry on growing and improving. We finished the game with two 19-year-olds on the pitch and playing big roles in our win."