By Matt Lawton
March 19 2003

RMI look to be on the verge of signing a young defender who was released earlier this week by local rivals, and Second Division champions-elect, Wigan Athletic. 19 year old defender Ian Pendlebury was released earlier this week by Latics boss Paul Jewell as he looks to make plans for Wigan's imminent promotion to the First Division.

Leigh RMI manager Mark Patterson believes Bolton-born Pendlebury would be a useful defensive addition to his squad as The Railwaymen look to consolidate their place in the top tier of non-league football.

Pendlebury came to prominence in October 2001 when he made his Latics debut as a left back in a 3-2 defeat against Wrexham and then in a 2-1 victory away against Tranmere Rovers. Despite impressing many on the WSOA (wrong side of Abram), Pendlebury found himself squeezed out of the first team picutre.

However, Pendlebury's young team-mate Leighton Baines may want to look that his Latics career doesn't go the same way as Pendlebury's after he played at left back for the Latics first team in their 1-1 draw with Stockport County in the Second Division last night.