MARK Hughes today explained his reasons for sanctioning David Thompson's move to Wigan and hinted he may not make any further signings of his own until the summer.

As predicted in the Evening Telegraph, Thompson joined the Latics yesterday on a permanent deal until the end of the season.

And Hughes said it was the emergence of promising youngsters like Sergio Peter that led to him allowing the former Liverpool star to go.

"David has obviously had problems with injuries and he hasn't had as much football as he would have liked coming to the end of his contract," said Hughes.

"A decision therefore had to be made and I think I'm well covered in midfield areas.

"We've got a lot of young players coming through, people like Sergio Peter, so I felt it was the right decision to let him go."

Despite some impressive cameos, the injured-plagued Thompson failed to pin down a regular starting place under Hughes after recovering from knee and ankle injuries earlier in the season.

Subsequently, he was starting to get increasingly frustrated by his lack of match action so when Wigan came calling, he decided to join them on a short-term basis, with the aim being to get a more permanent contract in the summer.

Hughes said: "He's a very good player and he's been as frustrated as anyone with the injuries he's had.

"But he's fit and well now and he's determined to win a new contract, whoever that may be with."

In the meantime, Hughes is unlikely to delve into the transfer market before the window closes at the end of the month, even though he's shipped out three players already in January.

"We are trying to make sure the squad is in good shape and we are in a position to do the majority of our business in the summer," added Hughes.