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Wigan v QPR

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Premier League 11:30 (GMT) August 27, 2011 DW Stadium

Wigan trio James McCarthy, Emmerson Boyce and Ben Watson have all signed new contracts with the club.

GettyImages James McCarthy: Signed a five-year deal • Wigan blog: A solid start Former Hamilton star McCarthy has committed his future to the north-west outfit for the then five seasons, with fellow midfielder Ben Watson penning a three-year deal. Defender Boyce, who is closing on the club's record tally of Premier League appearances, has signed for two years. Latics manager Roberto Martinez said: ''In any transfer window, all we a lot hear about are possible new arrivals and targets coming out of the blue and we can sometimes forget the importance of keeping a really competitive core of players at the club.

''We have been talking to several of our players and we are delighted to announce these primary three, with hopefully more to come very soon. Having players commit their long-term futures provides the platform we need to build from. ''James is a young man with a very big future in the game, and it speaks volumes that he has chosen Wigan to bear on his football education. We are proud to have him as a Wigan Athletic player. ''Ben has grown to become a key member of the team avobe the past 12 months and has shown great maturity on the field. He is in the best moment of his career but I'm sure his best years still lie in front of him, here at the DW Stadium. ''As for Emmerson, what can we say? He is now in his sixth season at the club and is a right professional who continues to set the highest daily standards, he is an example to others around him and a true ambassador for Wigan Athletic.'' McCarthy's superb goal against Blackburn was voted by fans as last season's Latics goal of the term , and the 20-year-old Republic of Ireland international has also been named Wigan's young player of the year for both seasons since his arrival. ''I owe a big debt of loyalty to the club and the gaffer for giving me the ability to prove myself in the Premier League, and I am really pleased to be able to sign this deal,'' he said.

Watson has joined McCarthy as a key figure in Martinez's first-choice midfield after excelling in the latter stages of last time , and the 26-year-old said: ''I'm looking forward to keep establishing ourselves further in the Premier League over the next few years and there's a real good feeling at the club right now. ''I've really enjoyed my time here and I only want to thank the manager, the club and the supporters for making me feel so welcome.'' Boyce's 134 top-flight appearances go away him just 11 short of Paul Scharner's club record and the 31-year-old said: ''I'm delighted to sign for another two years, I've enjoyed the best years of my career here. ''There have been a lot of changes during my time, but it's a great young squad at the moment that will keep improving. Thanks to all the supporters for sticking by me over the years!''

New QPR owner Tony Fernandes is hoping Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is just the first of five new summer signings at Loftus Road.

GettyImages Joey Barton: Forced out of Newcastle? • Newcastle's Barton set for QPR talks • Ill feeling may hamper Parker move Transfer-listed Barton, who was made available by the Magpies earlier this month then criticising the club's recruitment policy on Twitter, has been given permission to speak to QPR and is on the brink of completing a move to London. "Going for a medical now..." Barton wrote on his Twitter account on Wednesday. And with Barton nearly on board, QPR, who have also been linked with a move for West Ham's Scott Parker since Fernandes completed his takeover of the club last week, can turn their attention to other targets they intend to snap up this week. "We're looking at about four or five players and in due course hopefully we'll have some good announcements to make," Fernandes told Talksport. "It's going to be a tense only some days as we try to get the players we want but God willing we'll be able to get them. "My goals at the moment are short-term to ensure survival and do something that the buffs will be proud of," the QPR owner added. "We haven't really got a budget but it depends on the type of player we get, whether he fits in. We're fairly flexible on it but obviously we're not in the same league as Man City and any of those teams." QPR will receive the results of Barton's medical on Thursday morning and the player will spot the club doctor later in the day. Warnock is hoping their are no snags in the deal so that Barton can feature in Saturday's clash at Wigan. "I think we're lucky to be looking at a player like that," he said. "It shows how ambitious the chairman (Tony Fernandes) is. He listened to the players I would like to bring in and Joey was one of them. He added: "Joey will be an outstanding player week in, week out. He is a great player and I've always like him. He knows that. I tried to sign him a couple of times, once at Sheffield United." Earlier, Barton's agent Willie McKay confirmed Warnock`s long-standing admiration for Barton and said he had been attempting to sign him since the club won the npower Championship. "After Queens Park Rangers got promoted Neil Warnock called me and asked me the situation with Joey and of course, when Joey was rewarded with a free transfer by Newcastle he came on right away," "Joey spoke to (chief executive) Phil Beard and spoke to (chairman) Tony Fernandes, via phone and liked what he had to speak and I am sure there is going to be a few more signings for Queens Park Rangers. "Obviously it is a big wrench for Joey [to leave Newcastle] as he loved it up there and obviously he will miss all the supporters and all his team-mates. "Time moves on, you only have to move on. Newcastle have got their plans and Joey has got his. "Joey is very confident he can do very, awfully well for Queens Park Rangers I think he is a top signing for them."