ATHERTON soccer star Ian Pendlebury has been tipped by a Bolton Wanderers legend to play a major part in Wigan Athletic's promotion push next season.

The 18-year-old left-sided defender or midfielder picked up the 'Young Player of the Year' title at the club's annual awards ceremony after making a highly promising start to his Wigan career.

Now former Bolton midfielder David Lee, Pendlebury's youth team coach at the JJB Stadium, says the former Leigh RMI player has the talent to make a big impact as Latics look to finally secure their first foray into Division One football.

"The big test for him was when he entered last season in the final year of his apprenticeship and needed to show he was strong enough to warrant a first team contract," he said.

"But he has done really well and fully deserved his award. Now he has to force his way into the first team.

"I think his attitude and his commitment are his biggest qualities but he also has a great touch, vision and distribution. He knows when to tackle and still has a lot to learn positionally but you don't really learn that until you get into the first team.

"How far he goes from here is entirely up to him. If he shows what he is capable of in pre-season, I don't see any reason why he can't become a regular first team player.

"He has never let the manager down when he has called on him in the past so I expect him to do really well."

Pendlebury, now with four starting appearances under his belt, was handed his full debut in October's 3-2 home defeat to Wrexham - at the height of Wigan's early season misery - which left them looking anxiously over their shoulders rather than towards the higher reaches of Division Two.

But, ironically, Ian reckons the club's tough times actually eased his introduction to the first team.

"It took a bit of pressure off because the expectations weren't as high, with the team in a bit of a slump," he said.

"I was delighted just to be in the squad but when I was named in the starting line-up it was unbelievable! The manager just told me to go out there and enjoy myself. Now he says if I keep working hard, my chance will come.

"I feel a lot stronger than this time last year and the lads in the first team like Paul Mitchell, Arjan De Zeeuw and Matt Jackson have really helped me settle in.

"It would be great to get a regular first team place next season because I think we will get promotion. The club is settled now and the manager is taking us in the right direction."