Liverpool's Sebastian Coates would be a great signing for Wigan

Last week’s gossip columns were awash with rumours that Brendan Rodgers would be prepared to loan out Uruguayan centre-half Sebastian Coates. Wigan are one of many interested parties including West Brom and Championship side Bolton Wanderers. With Coates having failed to break into the first team at Anfield, a loan deal to the DW Stadium could be a great move for all parties.

Coates was brought to Merseyside in August 2011 from Uruguayan side Nacional at a reported cost of £7million and was one of many signings made under the club’s former Director of Football Damian Commoli. Coates arrived at Anfield with great credentials, the then 20 year old having recently won the prestigious award for Best Young Player at the Copa America as his country lifted the 2011 title.

However, his opportunities at Liverpool have been limited to just 21 first team appearances, largely owing to the successful centre-half pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel which has recently seen fellow centre back and veteran Jamie Carragher question his future at the club. It does not appear to be the case that Rodgers has lost faith in the Uruguayan, more so that Agger and Skrtel appear to be immovable objects in the heart of the Liverpool defence, although the clubs’ attempt to land Norwegian Vegard Forren last week may dispute this.

Now at the age of 22, Coates will be craving more game time and the opportunity to prove to Rodgers that he has what it takes to succeed in the Premier League.

The DW Stadium could be the perfect arena for Coates’ to showcase his talent. Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has an enviable record of developing talented youngsters such as James McCarthy, Antonio Valencia and the best example being Tom Cleverley.

Cleverley enjoyed a loan spell with the Latics during the 2010/11 season and has since gone on to be a first-team regular with parent club and champions elect Manchester United.  He has also received international recognition this season and a lot of his progress can be attributed to his tuition under Martinez at Wigan two seasons ago. Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that with game time at the DW Stadium, Martinez will be able to have a similar effect on Coates.

Wigan have this season shipped 43 goals – the second worst defensive record in the league which has largely contributed to their recent demise into the relegation zone. Martinez will be looking to rectify this issue before the January transfer slams shut and Coates – an imposing figure at 6 feet 5 inches – could add the required steel to the heart of the Wigan defence, which has struggled badly under the languid Emerson Boyce and cumbersome Gary Caldwell.

If Wigan are able to secure the Uruguayan centre-half’s services until the end of the season, the ensuing relegation battle would give Sebastian Coates a real test of his ability in the Premiership as well as the opportunity to display his real worth to both Wigan and perhaps more importantly Brendan Rodgers.

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