Taylor hit by new injury blow

Wigan defender Ryan Taylor has been ruled out of pre-season training with an ankle injury and may need to undergo surgery.The England under-21 international has endured a difficult 18 months after suffering a broken leg and a broken foot - and is now hoping a sustained period of rest will help him overcome his latest injury.

Not that you're looking to Wigan defenders, especially given what Taylor's price tag will likely be next season (and the number of interesting defenders coming into the Premiership) and how bad Wigan are likely to (continue to) be, but Taylor had a good second half of the season playing in midfield on occassion, taking kicks, and having almost as many big fantasy games as he went missing, fantasy-wise.

Melchiot to sign for Wigan

One year after having left Birmingham, Dutch defender Mario Melchiot is on the verge of making a return to England with Wigan. The 30-year-old has left Ligue 1 side Rennes after deciding not to extend his one-year contract.

According to the Daily Mirror, Melchiot was at the JJB Stadium on Tuesday to prove his fitness to new manager Chris Hutchings and agreed to sign a one-year deal.

Now this is interesting. Ryan Taylor is finally back from injury, as presumably will Boyce. Does this signing push Boyce to center back alongside Hall, and Taylor up into midfield? Taylor's set-pieces more than made up for his penchant to collect cards. But if he follows another Taylor (Matthew, for those of you playing along at home) from fullback to midfield while remaining listed as a defender, he'll be one to watch next season.