Martinez will not sell Al-Habsi

Roberto Martinez expects Ali Al-Habsi to still be a Wigan player in February despite reports linking the keeper with a move to Liverpool during the transfer window.



Al-Habsi has been an important player for the Latics in recent seasons and his impressive form has seen him linked with a move to a bigger club.



Reports on Wednesday claimed Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers had set his sights on signing the keeper in January, but Martinez has made it clear he will not be selling the player to the Reds or any other club.



“I don’t think there is any truth behind it. Any rumour that you can see with any of our players I see as a compliment. You don’t get links if you are not playing well,” Martinez commented.



“We are really focused on what we want to achieve and we are looking to improve the squad, window after window.



“We are relaxed about it. He is on a long-term contract and is an important player for us.



“The rumours are going to be there, as he is playing well, he has been impressive. He has developed as a player and is reaching good levels. But he has a long way to go.”

Martinez fined £10k for ref outburst

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has been fined £10,000 following comments he made following his side's defeat to Manchester United on September 15.

Martinez, who requested a personal hearing, was punished by the Football Association after admitting a charge of misconduct following "a breach of FA Rule E3 concerning media comments which implied that the match referee and/or match officials in general are motivated by bias and/or brought the game into disrepute."

The Wigan manager said in the aftermath of a 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford that referee Michael Oliver did not treat both sides equally and suggested that match officials struggle to be impartial at Old Trafford.

"Michael Oliver is a very capable referee, who has been outstanding in many big games, but it was clear from the opening minutes that he was not going to measure both teams the same way," Martinez said.

"There were a couple of tackles by United players which, if they had been the other way round, would have been red cards. In that last challenge by (Danny) Welbeck, he had his foot over the ball as he went in on Franco Di Santo. It was completely reckless and dangerous, and under the current regulations, it should be a red card, whether you play for Wigan, Manchester United or anyone else.

"We had a player sent off here last season, and it was rescinded straightaway. Two seasons ago, we had two players sent off. Now this. I just feel it is a difficult place for referees. They need to be strong, and they need to be very, very experienced. They need to know how to handle the occasion. It’s not about handling the game here, it’s the occasion.

"Welbeck should have been shown a straight red, and Paul Scholes had two bad challenges that were worthy of yellow cards. We had James McArthur booked for something very similar, yet Scholes got away with both. I cannot understand how those same challenges can be judged in different ways."



Martinez has also been warned about his future conduct.

Al Habsi happy at Wigan

Ali Al Habsi has admitted he cannot rule out a move away from Wigan in the future but insists he is currently enjoying life at the DW Stadium.



The Oman goalkeeper, preparing to face Republic of Ireland in an international friendly on Tuesday, has been a star performer for the Latics over the past couple of seasons.



A number of other clubs have been reported to be keeping tabs on the 30-year-old and he concedes he may one day consider his options.



However, he is fully committed to the club at the present time, saying: "I am very happy with Wigan, but you never know in football.



"I am with Wigan today, but tomorrow you never know. Right now I'm concentrating on my job with Wigan, and I am so happy there."