Sheyi Ojo discusses his 'high ambitions' for Latics

The England U18s attacking midfielder joined the Championship side last month on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season.

And despite being only 17, he has already collected two man-of-the-match awards during his spell at the Latics, and is now keen to make a bigger impact.

"I’ve got high ambitions and aims here at Wigan and I want to get as many goals and assists as possible," he told Wigan’s matchday programme ahead of Tuesday's home defeat to Cardiff City.

"It’s been a good experience to come into the Championship so far. Obviously I’ve been training with the first team at Liverpool and playing under-21 games so it’s a good learning curve for me to be playing professional football, hopefully I’ll do well."

Having made two appearances from the bench, Ojo was handed his first start in a 1-0 win at Reading last week, keeping his place in the line-up for the following games with Charlton Athletic and Tuesday night’s contest.

Although two defeats have followed since that victory against the Royals eight days ago, leaving the Lancashire outfit nine points adrift of safety, the former MK Dons youngster is confident he and his new team-mates can still pull away from danger.

"There are hopefully a lot more results like the Reading one to come," he added. 

"There are some fantastic players here. The group should never be in the situation that they’re in so the most important thing is to keep working hard and going for three points so we can climb the table and get out of the relegation battle."

And although it’s only a short journey from Merseyside to Wigan, a move to a new club is still a big ask for one so young, but Ojo is taking it all in his stride.

"I’ve settled in really well; all the lads and staff have welcomed me into the group and I’m enjoying being here," he added.

"I was really happy to get my first start and hopefully it’s the first of many for me.

"The players have been really nice as a group and I’m quite a laid back person so they’ve all welcomed me into the new team and I’ve got to know everyone in the team so it’s going well."

Ojo, who scored twice on his last appearance for his country in a 4-1 win over Poland in November, could feature for Neil Dewsnip’s England U18s next month when they take on Switzerland at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium.

Tickets for the clash on Saturday 28 March are priced £3 for adults and £1.50 for concessions.

Call 01922 651 414/416 or visit Saddlers.co.uk to secure your seat now.