Latics tied up youngster Deane Smalley on a three-year contract in May 2008.

Smalley made the step up from youth to professional senior football when he initially signed a one-year deal in summer 2007.

The striker - who can also be deployed out wide - was a prolific scorer in youth football, finishing top of the scoring charts as the youth side won the northern championship last season.

He also figured regularly in the reserves and contributed a number of goals, and found himself occasionally in the first team squad in the second half of 2006/07.

Indeed, the frontman was handed his senior debut by manager John Sheridan as a substitute in the game against Bournemouth on February 24, 2007.

He also made one further appearance, once again as a substitute against Blackpool on February 27, 2007.

But injuries forced Smalley to the forefront in 2007/08, and he scored his first goal for the club against Mansfield Town in the Carling Cup in mid-August 2007.

The tricky youngster finished the season with a tally of 42 senior appearances.