Ince Cools Wigan Speculation

The MK Dons manager Paul Ince has distanced himself from speculation linking him with Wigan, insisting he wants to stick with the League Two leaders "for the long term".

The former England midfielder's name has been associated with the vacancies at both Wigan and Championship strugglers Preston in the last 24 hours. But Ince insists he has no desire to leave, instead setting his sights on guiding MK Dons up the league.

"I want to make a name for myself at MK Dons, I've been given a great chance by the chairman here," said Ince. "When I see the players playing the way they are, the spirit and the togetherness we've got at this club, the passion of the chairman and where we want to go with this club - why would you want to move? We're here for the long term, we've got a long-term plan and we want to take this club where we think it belongs."

Ince's chairman, Pete Winkelman, is delighted with the progress the club is making and is understandably keen to extend the pair's working relationship. "When you're in the lower leagues and you have a manager with the qualities of Paul Ince then everybody will come chasing him in time," he said. "While you can never say what's going to happen in football I'm very comfortable that Paul sees his future at the club.

"I hope that we can maintain that relationship so that he can get the things he needs from the club to move forward in his career."