Shaun Maloney can't wait to kickoff the new season with Wigan Athletic.

His blistering end to the year - and the prospect of a proper pre-season under his belt - means he cannot wait for next month's big kick-off.

"I was obviously in the team for the last couple of months and it was a great end for me personally as well as the team," Maloney told the Wigan Observer. "It's given me determination to try and pick up next season in the same vein.

"Obviously the start we had wasn't great, and there were long periods before and after Christmas where we weren't at it, and we all know we have to be better than that next year.

"It's certainly given me the aspirations to try and start next year with a bang and try to make more of an impact over a longer period than last season."