Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts to Wigan Athletic transfer update involving Stoke City man | OneFootball

Niall Ennis could be reunited with Ryan Lowe at the Brick Community Stadium

Ryan Lowe is facing up to his first pre-season in charge of Wigan Athletic after taking over the reins at the Brick Community Stadium on March 12th.

The 46-year-old had only been away from the dugout for a six-month period after stepping away from Preston North End after the first game of the Championship season against Sheffield United, and will hope to move the Latics forward after an inconsistent season despite the continued emergence of young talent at the club.

Wigan's place in League One for next season isn't mathematically secured at this moment in time, as there is a minimal buffer between themselves and the bottom four ahead of what would be a first stint in League Two since 1996/97 for the North West outfit, although they will hope to end the season with some momentum ahead of 2025/26.

Lowe and the hierarchy have already begun pinpointing transfer targets though, and it's no surprise that one of those comes in the attacking department, having struggled for goals all season - no side in the third tier have scored fewer times than Wigan, as they currently sit level with Harrogate Town when it comes to strikes throughout the campaign across the entire EFL.

Don Goodman reacts as Ryan Lowe plots potential Niall Ennis reunion at Wigan Athletic

It was exclusively revealed on Wednesday (April 16th) by Football League World that the Greater Manchester outfit are plotting a move for Stoke City striker Niall Ennis, who is currently enjoying a fruitful loan spell with Wigan's local and divisional rivals, Blackpool.

Sources told FLW that the Tics have turned their attention towards striking a deal with the Potters ahead of next season, with the 25-year-old under contract at the Bet365 Stadium until the summer of 2026.

Speaking exclusively to FLW, Sky Sports pundit and former striker, Don Goodman, isn't surprised by Ennis' current success at Bloomfield Road, and believes that he would be a shrewd signing for Wigan.

"It's no real surprise to see Niall Ennis prospering in League One with Blackpool," he began. "Six goals and an assist in 12 starts."

"I think he's always had the attributes that terrorise League One defenders, and his previous time in League One was with Plymouth Argyle where he had his best days and his best season.

"He's obviously stepped up to the Championship with Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City and it hasn't quite worked out for him as yet," Goodman added.

"He's still only 25 years old, and I'm not surprised that Wigan Athletic are keen on signing him," the pundit stated.

"If he's not going to play at Stoke, then maybe a good, solid campaign in League One at a club like Wigan would be the order of the day and would benefit all parties," Goodman concluded.

Ryan Lowe factor could entice Niall Ennis to join Wigan Athletic

Ennis has clearly found his feet once again in the third tier under Steve Bruce, who has also been able to revitalise Ashley Fletcher's goalscoring fortunes, but the opportunity to work with Lowe once again could be a big drawer for Wigan as they look to progress up the table after a tough return to League One in difficult circumstances under previous boss, Shaun Maloney.

The Liverpudlian was clearly a big believer in the former Wolves man's potential, having signed him at Home Park as a 21-year-old, before Ennis went on to find the net 24 times in 97 appearances for the Greens, with Lowe recently telling Wigan Today amid transfer speculation; "He would be well known to me...because I revitalised his career!"

"I signed him from Wolves for Plymouth Argyle, and he did fantastic for me and fantastic for them after I left.

"Look, I know Niall very well, he's a fantastic lad and he's a goalscorer at this level, definitely. He's been up and down the Championship, he's had some opportunities," he added.

"But I think he's probably one of many who will be linked, given we obviously have a friendship. He's contracted to Stoke City for another 12 months I think, but we're always in the market for good players - and Niall is certainly one of them."

Nottingham Forest loanee Dale Taylor has been the leading light in terms of goals at the Brick Community Stadium, with Wigan's goalscoring issues highlighted by the fact that Thelo Aasgard, who left for Luton Town in January, is still the club's second-highest scorer by some distance.