Martinez not worried about Cattermole speculation
Cattermole has impressed while on international duty
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Saturday, 04, Jul 2009 12:04
New Wigan manager Roberto Martinez insists he is not worried about speculation linking Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur with midfielder Lee Cattermole.
The 21-year-old impressed in the centre of midfield for England's Under-21 side during the recent European Championships and that has brought him to the attention of some other Premier League sides.
Wigan have already lost Wilson Palacios to Spurs in January, while the squad continued to lose players following Luis Antonio Valencia's switch to Manchester United.
However, Martinez says the fact that Wigan's players are getting interest from other clubs signals that they are progressing in the right direction.
Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post: "I am not worried about the situation with Lee, as he is still a young man and you want that interest.
"I want the top clubs in world football to be talking about our players and about our football club.
"I prefer that to people not talking about our players. That is always a bad sign."
Martinez is confident he can keep hold of Cattermole, who is rated at £8 million, during the summer transfer window.
The Spaniard believes the midfielder could force his way into the 2010 World Cup squad if he continues to get regular first-team football with the Latics.
He added: "It is important that Lee has his targets and keeps developing as a player, and we hope he can fulfil his potential.
"We need to make sure he makes the step up now into the full squad ahead of the World Cup, and I think that is a clear example of his potential."
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has insisted Cattermole is not for sale having seen other members of his squad already leave over the last six months.