Long-term absentees Rob Purdie, Joe Jacobson and Andy Holdsworth are well on the road to a return to first-team action with Latics.

The threesome have come through the first week of pre-season training unscathed and exceeded expectations as to the work they have done.

Manager Paul Dickov explained: "One of the most pleasing things about the week has been how well the long-term injured players have done.

"They were ready on Monday morning and they have done more than the medical staff expected during the first week of training."

Purdie has yet to kick a ball in competitive action in the year since he joined Latics, Holdsworth has been out since November through a knee injury while Jacobson was plagued by injury problems throughout 2009/10 season.