• ‘I could go back if a strike happens’
• MLS set 25 March deadline for agreement

Landon Donovan says he might return to Everton if the Major League Soccer players go on strike next week.

Donovan scored two goals in 13 games during an impressive 10-week loan from LA Galaxy that ended on Saturday ahead of the start of the MLS season, which may yet be delayed by industrial action.

The MLS players, who are centrally contracted to the league as opposed to their clubs, are hoping to broker a new deal with the MLS which would allow greater freedom of movement between clubs. At present the MLS owns all player contracts and restricts movement within the league when deals expire.

The MLS Players Union said last week that it will strike if an agreement is not reached by 25 March – a situation which could theoretically free Donovan to return.

“There’s nothing concrete set up,” Donovan said at a news conference yesterday. “I think we’ve all been very clear about the possibility that I could go back if something happens. It’s crossing that bridge when we get to it, right now.”

“Nobody wants to go on strike if it can be avoided,” he added. “We’ve made it very clear from the beginning that we’re not trying to bankrupt the league and ask for tons of monetary increases. But we need basic rights if we’re going to continue playing. We want rights afforded other players in other countries that we don’t have. We’re very unified on the way we think.”

EvertonLA GalaxyMajor League SoccerJames Callowguardian.co.uk

Roberto Martínez, the Wigan manager, has come up with a novel way to stop transfer speculation distracting his players. “If we need to have a window I don’t think we should have any competitive fixtures in that period,” said the Spaniard, who is battling to suppress “disgusting” talk of the left-back Maynor Figueroa leaving the club. David Moyes seems unladen with such gripes as Everton dash up the table. The visitors have not been defeated since November while a year-long injury crisis could be nearing its end. James Callow

Venue DW Stadium Tickets £28-£30 (0871 66 33 552) Last season Wigan 1 Everton 0 Referee A Wiley

This season’s matches 17 Y50, R3, 3.12 cards per game

sportingbet odds Wigan 9-5 Everton 13-10 Draw 11-5

Wigan

Subs from Boyce, Sinclair, Gohouri, Pollitt, Watson, Scotland, Edman, Amaya, Koumas, Gómez

Doubtful Melchiot (neck)

Injured Kirkland (collarbone, 6 Feb)

Suspended None

Form guide LWLDLD

Disciplinary record Y42 R3

Leading scorer Rodallega 7

Everton

Subs from Arteta, Nash, Senderos, Bilyaletdinov, Vaughan, Anichebe, Yobo, Yakubu, Duffy, Mustafi, Coleman, Agard, Baxter, Wallace

Doubtful Arteta (groin)

Injured Rodwell (hamstring, 6 Feb), Gosling (hamstring, 6 Feb), Hibbert (hernia, 20 Feb), Jagielka (knee, Mar) Suspended None

Form guide WWDWDD Disciplinary record Y32 R1

Leading scorer Saha 11

Match pointers

• Four of Paul Scharner’s 13 Premier League goals have come against Everton – the only team he has scored more than once against

• Everton are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games, their best run since March 2008

• Titus Bramble has made more defensive blocks – 26 – than any other player in the division

• Everton have gone eight games without failing to score – the longest run in the division

• Only Hull have conceded as many goals as Wigan this term

Wigan AthleticEvertonPremier Leagueguardian.co.uk