Dale Stephens is eager to make up for lost time as he has emerged as a key figure in Latics' midfield in the last couple of months.

There is also a touch of irony as to the way in which the 22-year-old has claimed a regular first-team place.

Stephens, signed from Bury in the summer of 2008, had to wait over 18 months for his debut after the early part of his Latics career was plagued by injury.

But it was Latics' midfield injury crisis which finally opened the first-team door for Stephens who was finally handed his debut against Leeds United on December 1st.

There has been no looking back for Stephens who has been an ever present since his debut appearing in all eight matches.

Indeed, he landed the player-of-the-month award for December, his first month in the team.

Stephens has also been lauded for his expertise at set-pieces as he delivered the corner from which Pawel Abbott scored the match-winning goal at Tranmere.

Manager Dave Penney said: "Dale has an excellent delivery from set-pieces which is why he takes them.

"We have five or six big players in the team so it is important we have good delivery from set pieces to try and capitalise on them.

"Everybody here knows Dale has good quality on the ball and he is also an accurate passer.

"We have never doubted Dale's ability but, to pardon a pun, the penney has dropped and he has realised he also has to do the ugly things. He has learned to put his foot in, make challenges, be strong and make the right decisions.

"Dale is still maturing but he has deservedly taken his chance through injuries, and he is the leading player in our midfield at the moment.

"We have chopped and changed Dean Furman, Alex Marrow and Danny Whitaker, but Dale has been an ever present. 

"He now has that belief and has shown he can handle it at this level. Now he has to continue playing as he has done in the last couple of months."