WIGAN Athletic are on an upwards curve that will take them all the way to the Premiership, according to their former striker Andy Liddell.

The 31-year-old is now facing up to a new challenge having completed a summer move from the JJB to first division rivals Sheffield United.

But Wigan's all-time record scorer revealed that Wigan will always have a special place in his heart as he backed Paul Jewell to complete his rebuilding of the club by leading them up to the top flight for the first time in their history.

"I'm convinced Wigan will finish in the top six next season and it is only a matter of time before they get into the Premiership.They were desperately unlucky to miss the play-off boat last season and I reckon they can do it in 2004-05," he told the Wigan Evening Post.

"The chairman, Dave Whelan, has been saying he won't stop until he does it, and you have to believe that. The club I joined in 1998 and the one I left last month is an entirely different one now, and that's down to Paul Jewell's regime.

"Wigan were the fittest team in the first division last season and they will be major contenders again. They are a huge price for promotion and I can't understand why because they are extremely well organised, and possess an incredible work ethic.

"Paul Jewell is extremely thorough and the signings they have made - David Wright, David Graham and Per Frandsen are shrewd buys.

Dream final

"I'd like it to be Sheffield United versus Wigan in the play-off final next season.

"The Wigan supporters always backed me and knew I always gave me my all for the badge, so I'm looking forward to going back. Sheffield United is a great new challenge for me, but I'll never forget my time at Wigan because they were the happiest days of my career."

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