Martinez: Beausejour on comeback trail

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is confident Jean Beausejour will soon return to action after tearing a hamstring against Stoke City.

Chilean international Beausejour was forced to sit out his county’s fixtures with the injury but Martinez expects to see the winger back sooner than later.

“The scan he had after the Stoke game revealed that he had a tear in his hamstring, so now he’s in a stage of recovery and we’re assessing how long that will take,” Martinez told reporters.

“It’s too early to predict when he’ll be able to return to action, but he’s progressing well and hopefully it won’t be too long.”

Wigan are also hopeful Scotland international James McArthur will soon return to the first team and Martinez has praised his strength of character.

“James has been through a very demanding start to the season, because after an hour or so on the pitch his back begins to stiffen up and against Chelsea and Stoke he tired towards the end of the game when the tempo was high,” he said.

“But he has such a strong mentality which allows him to be available and I think the two-week period we’ve had has helped him with his full recovery.

“Fortunately we have a large squad and the games we play in every competition are so important in building that understanding the players have of the roles required when they take to the pitch.

“All the players have that understanding now and can bring something different to the set-up as well which is a real strength we have.”