Wigan Boss Gary Caldwell Keen on Reuniting with Former Exeter Striker Sam Nombe

Gary Caldwell wants to be reunited with striker Sam Nombe if Wigan Athletic maintain their League One status, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

The main item on the agenda for Caldwell, who swapped Exeter City to return to the Latics last month, is survival. 

But according to our sources, there is also half an eye on recruitment this summer as Caldwell tries to stabilise and improve the club he spent five years as a player before taking up his first roles in coaching at the club upon retiring in 2015.

Nombe is currently at Rotherham United, who are in a relegation battle of their own. 

And Caldwell hopes the stars align to allow him to make a swoop for his former hitman if the Millers get relegated to League Two.

Nombe moved from Exeter City to Rotherham in 2023 with the chance to follow former boss Matt Taylor and have a chance at Championship football too good an opportunity to pass up. 

And according to sources, Caldwell believes his personal relationship with the player can put the Latics to the front of the queue which will undoubtedly form if Rotherham go down.

Eye For Goal

Nombe will have a year on his deal at the AESSEAL New York Stadium come the end of the season. 

Despite the Millers’ woes this term, the 27-year-old marksman has notched up seven goals in 20 league appearances this season, where he has spent two spells on the sidelines through injury.

Last term, Nombe was in the top ten scorers in the division with 14 strikes, one shy of his previous best tally of 15 during the 2022/23 campaign under Caldwell. 

The previous year he had helped the Grecians to League Two promotion with eight goals in 28.

Earlier in his career, Nombe was named Young Player of the Year at MK Dons after his breakthrough professional season in 2019/20.