Paul Scharner says last season's sale of Wilson Palacios to Tottenham wrecked Wigan Athletic's European tilt.

The Latics face their former midfielder for the first time since he left last January when Roberto Martinez's troops visit White Hart Lane tomorrow.

Scharner said: "We were seventh in the table when Wilson left us.

"We have missed him because we only went on to win three games during the rest of the season.

"When you look at the team we had, if we had managed to hold on to it, I think we would have qualified for Europe."

But the Austrian understands Palacios' decision.

Scharner added: "Tottenham is a good club in England with a big history. It's normal for a young player like Wilson to move on to a bigger team.

"Hopefully we can show him that Wigan is still a good club."