WIGAN Athletic star Lee McCulloch is predicting a typically tough derby battle in Saturday's Premiership clash with Bolton.

The Scot and his team-mates are still smarting from Saturday's defeat at Charlton and McCulloch has labelled the Bolton game as "massive".

He said: "This is one big game. Wanderers are a strong and physical team but they can also play quality football.

"I enjoy these kind of matches. The atmosphere should be special and it makes such a difference when the stadium is full and there's a lot of noise.

"I think the relegation battle will go down to the wire and I'm sure there will be a lot more twists and turns from here on in with teams taking points off each other."

Meanwhile, Wigan have offered professional contracts for next season to three teenagers - Manchester lad Lewis Montrose, Russell Saunders, a goalkeeper from Bury, and Liverpudlian Peter Moore.

Montrose, a midfielder who was previously at Manchester City and Bolton, has overcome a serious knee injury to impress at youth and reserve level.

See an exclusive interview with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan on the Latics Football Show tomorrow at 7.30pm on Channel M (Sky Digital channel 203). Tweet