Wigan Athletic sign Jason Pearce, Billy McKay

Wigan Athletic have strengthened their bid to avoid relegation from the Championship with the signings of Jason Pearce and Billy McKay.

The Latics currently sit eight points adrift from safety, and after winning just once in his opening 11 games at the DW Stadium, manager Malky Mackay has moved to add the duo to his squad ahead of closure of the January transfer window.

Pearce, 27, arrives from Leeds United, where he had made 23 appearances in all competitions this season, while striker McKay departs Inverness Caledonian Thistle after scoring 60 goals since joining the club in 2011.

Both players, who have joined Wigan for an undisclosed fee, are said to have signed long-term contracts in the North-West.