Martinez hails Espinoza impact

Espinoza, recruited a few weeks ago from Major League Soccer outfit Sporting Kansas City, put in an eye-catching performance in midfield having kept his place in the Latics first XI from Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round victory at Macclesfield.

The Honduras international had looked set for a disappointing evening after giving away the free-kick which led to Stoke opening the scoring through Ryan Shawcross in the 23rd minute and then losing possession in the 48th to instigate a Potters break which ended with Peter Crouch making it 2-0.

Espinoza had also picked up a yellow card by that point, but from thereon his contribution was key to Wigan's fightback, with the 26-year-old first setting up a tidy finish by James McArthur in the 50th minute with a through-ball.

He then crossed in the 61st minute for the same player, whose header teed up Franco Di Santo's volleyed equaliser.

Latics manager Roberto Martinez admitted Espinoza - who prior to the Macclesfield game had also played as a substitute in Wigan's league defeat to Sunderland, four days after making his bow by starting the FA Cup third-round win at Bournemouth - had taken a while to find his feet, but was delighted with his overall display.

"It took probably 15 to 20 minutes for him to get the tempo of the game and then he grew in confidence and was a joy to watch," Martinez said.

"I think the understanding with the other two midfielders and the manner in which he coped with the 90 minutes was very pleasing.

"I think he has an incredible tactical awareness from playing with Kansas City, where I think the coaching staff did a magnificent job.

"He can play in any of the three positions in midfield and as a wing-back as well. He is a real example of the type of player we like at our football club."

The point Wigan salvaged saw them move out of the relegation zone, jumping from 19th to 17th, where they are ahead of 18th-placed Aston Villa on goal difference alone.

Having already captured Espinoza and tied up loan deals for Manchester United striker Angelo Henriquez and Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Joel Robles this month, Martinez hopes to bring in Hamburg's Latics old boy Paul Scharner before Thursday's transfer deadline to further boost the battle for survival.

For 10th-placed Stoke, meanwhile, the target in terms of league position is a maiden Premier League top-half finish.

Manager Tony Pulis is close to strengthening his squad with FC Dallas' United States winger Brek Shea, whose move to the Britannia Stadium has been agreed and is subject to him passing a medical and obtaining a work permit.

Pulis was frustrated to see his side held to a draw last night when they had appeared set for their first win in five league games.

"For about 50 minutes I thought we were okay and we got the second goal, but then switched off and it has just crept into the game," said Pulis, who confirmed he has received an inquiry from QPR about striker Crouch.

"We looked a little bit tired in the second half, I have to say."

Stoke fans made their discontent known at the final whistle, something Potters forward Jon Walters can understand.

"Of course, they are going to show their frustration and so they should because we were 2-0 up and we ended up not winning the game," Walters told www.stokecityfc.com.

"They would have expected us to win the game and to be honest, so would we as players.

"Nobody can question our supporters, they are as good as, if not better than any others in the country.

"They give us incredible backing and they are right to show their disappointment when things don't go right for us."