Former Manchester City defender Michael Ball is training with Wigan Athletic in the hope of sealing a permanent contract at the DW Stadium.

The 30-year-old left-back is a free agent after leaving Eastlands in the summer and has already rejected a chance to train with ambitious League Two outfit Notts County.

Ball, who has also played for Everton, Rangers and PSV Eindhoven, is due to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly for the Latics at the weekend and hopes to impress manager Roberto Martinez.

The Spaniard is keen to bolster his defensive options with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce ready to make a renewed £5million bid to bring Honduran left-back Maynor Figueroa to the Stadium of Light in the New Year.