Wigan boss Paul Cook says Charlie Mulgrew will have ‘a big say’ in his future which will be up for discussion in January.

Mulgrew was loaned to Rovers’ Championship rivals in the dying stages of the summer transfer window, with the deal not ratified by the EFL until the morning after the deadline closed.

The 33-year-old has started eight matches for Wigan, who are currently assessing an injury to the defender picked up in Wednesday night’s defeat to Derby County.

Cook revealed there are options in Mulgrew’s deal that could see him recalled by Rovers should they wish when the January window opens, but the Latics boss says the Scotland international will likely have a big say in where he sees his future.

Mulgrew is under contract at Ewood Park until the summer of 2021, after penning an extension last year, with his move to Latics developing after discussions with Rovers boss Tony Mowbray about concerns over his possible game-time at Rovers.

“Charlie’s here for the minute, but he’s still a Blackburn Rovers player,” Cook told Wigan Today of Mulgrew who started Rovers’ opening day defeat to Charlton.

“We respect that, there’s no problem there at all.

“I think there’s options for both clubs in January. But I think a player of his stature will have a big say in what he does.

“And I’m sure if you look at his face at the moment, you can see he’s a very happy lad.”

Rovers currently have issues in defence, with Darragh Lenihan unlikely to return until the end of next month, with on-loan full back Greg Cunningham ruled out for the season, with both having suffered knee injuries.

Cook believes Mulgrew has been ‘a stand-out player’ for Wigan who sit one point, and three places, behind Rovers in the Championship table, keeping four clean sheets in as many games in front of their own fans.

“He’s been excellent Charlie,” Cook added.

“You can see yourselves he’s a stand-out player and a stand-out lad.

“He’s had an illustrious career, and I’m sure that’s going to go on for a lot longer yet.

“He reads the game well, he very rarely finds himself in trouble, and he’s a big figure in and around the dressing room.

“He was our captain (against Nottingham Forest), and that speaks volumes about what we think of him.”