Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan has confirmed that Malky Mackay is one of 20 people to have applied for the manager's position at the DW Stadium.

The Latics parted ways with Uwe Rosler last week following a disappointing run of form, and Whelan says that the former Cardiff City boss is in the reckoning to succeed the German.

"I can confirm Malky Mackay has applied and we will speak to him. I believe he deserves a fair hearing," Whelan is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

"We've had over 20 applications and started interviews on Tuesday. Hopefully we can make an appointment before the game this weekend against Middlesbrough.

"It's an important job and I don't like to mess around when I think I've got the right person."

Mackay has been out of football for almost 12 months after being sacked by Cardiff following a high-profile spat with owner Vincent Tan in December.

The Scot, 42, was thought to be in the running for the Crystal Palace job back in August until it emerged that he and Eagles sporting director Iain Moody exchanged a series of text messages that were deemed to have racist and sexist undertones.