Baines snubs Sunderland switch

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The 22-year-old defender has been included in the Latics squad for tonight's pre-season friendly at Blackpool after recovering from a virus.

Roy Keane was given permission to talk to the player earlier this week after having had three previous bids rejected.

However, as speculation mounted today that Everton - Baines was born in Liverpool - had tabled a counter-bid, Wigan's official website, wiganlatics.co.uk, claimed he would not be heading for the Stadium of Light, and sources on Wearside have confirmed that is the case.

Under the headline "Baines to face Blackpool, Leighton in the squad tonight as Latics reveal he will not be joining Sunderland", the website quoted manager Chris Hutchings, who said: "Leighton is finally over his virus.

"He trained for the first time this summer yesterday and he will be involved in some capacity tonight.

"He has been laid low with a virus for the last couple of weeks and has been restricted to light training.

"He was with the rest of the squad in Holland working directly with our physiotherapists but now he has been given the all clear to get involved in the heavy stuff."

Hutchings did not mention Sunderland and their pursuit directly, but added on the subject of his future: "Leighton is a first-class pro and a first-class person and despite all the speculation and rumour surrounding his future, he has remained professional throughout and as ever is a joy to work with.

"I have coached him since he first broke into the first team as a young apprentice and taken great satisfaction in how he has developed as a player and an individual."

The news will come as a blow to Keane, who has been interested in the England Under-21 international for most of the summer.

Hutchings had maintained Baines was not for sale and told the player he wanted him to stay at the JJB Stadium.

But the Black Cats made what they hoped would be a decisive breakthrough on Monday when they were given permission to speak to him.

However, amid clams that Everton are ready to step into the race, it appears Keane has been unable to persuade Baines his future lies on Wearside.