Jewell makes his first return to the JJB Stadium on Saturday after leaving at the end of last season following six years in charge of the Latics.

But Kilbane, signed by Jewell from Everton in August 2006, said: "The fans will probably be talking about him on the day. Rightly so because he achieved great things here, but it's really not an issue for us.

"Paul Jewell brought me to the club and I'm grateful for that because I've really enjoyed it here and have been fortunate enough to play a lot of games.

"But his time here has gone now. That's the nature of football and we have much bigger issues to consider than any personalities who may be here on the day."

And the Derby manager is confident his former club can beat the drop.

He told the club's official website: "Of course there's hope for Wigan this season.

very proud

"I always battled against the odds there, with people ridiculing us for the size of our support.

"I think Wigan is a brilliant football club and I loved my time there ," says Jewell.

"The people who run the club are brilliant.

"They are obviously always going to be up against it support-wise, but they have six teams right on their doorstep and they have come a long long way in a short space of time.

"I think they will stay in the Premier League this season and if the people off the pitch have the foresight then they can sustain top level football.

"I have nothing but good things to say about Wigan. I didn't leave under a cloud. I joined when they were a Second Division club and left them in the Premier League and I'm very proud of that record."

"I think the people who support Wigan know I did a decent job for them but they also did a decent job for me and supported me when things weren't great at the start.

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