Roberto Martinez: Adrian Lopez will challenge for starting spot

Roberto Martinez has revealed that he expects Adrian Lopez to challenge for a starting spot in his Wigan Athletic team next season.

The Spanish centre-half failed to appear regularly in the league as the Latics secured a 15th-place finish but his manager believes that he will play a much more pivotal role next year.

Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post: "I do expect him to challenge the more established players next season.

"He is still a very young man, but he has great experience from playing for Deportivo in La Liga. And we are all hoping he will continue to develop over the summer.

"Adrian is a very quick defender with outstanding distribution and is good in the air - he has everything."

Lopez joined Wigan from Deportivo La Coruna in December 2010.