Uwe Rosler insists Ali Al-Habsi can still have a future at Wigan Athletic, despite allowing the goalkeeper to join Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Oman international began Rosler’s reign at the DW Stadium as the number one choice between the posts, but eventually dropped down to the bench once Scott Carson had recovered from a thigh injury. The former Leeds United youngster has since retained his place in the starting XI, which has restricted Al-Habsi to just one League Cup appearance this season.
Rosler has now agreed to let the 32-year-old spend the next four weeks on loan at Championship rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, who had been in the market for a replacement for David Stockdale who faces a spell on the sidelines with a finger injury. However, the Wigan boss is keen to point out that Al-Habsi will return to Lancashire, where he still features in his long-term plans.
“With such a class goalkeeper, at some point you have to give him games,” Rosler told the official club website. “Last year he was fantastic but I made a decision this year to go with Scott. Ali has been absolutely professional. He is in my thoughts and in my plans. It is a gesture from us to support Ali because he has supported us and to give him competitive games.”
Al-Habsi, who has played in the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers as well as the Latics, is ineligible to face his parent club on Tuesday night but could make his debut at Bournemouth on Saturday. Whilst Rosler appears keen to keep the experienced keeper at Wigan, he is also aware that this may be taken out of his hands as the player is out of contract at the end of the season.
