Latics player-manager Paul Dickov admitted he cannot wait for the start of the new npower League One campaign.

Dickov has conceded the build up to their opening fixture at Tranmere has seemed an eternity.

He explained: "It has been the longest week in the job. The first five or six weeks flew by, but this week has dragged.

"We are ready, excited and looking forward to it. Pre-season games are great and the lads have been a different class, but this is what it is all about and the season kicks off on Saturday with the first three points to play for.

"While we are all excited, but are also wary as it will be a very hard game. It is not only a case of calming down the boys, but also myself."