Chris Powell is ready to play the waiting game over a possible extension to Grant Holt’s loan.

The Wigan Athletic striker is set for a fifth Town outing against Brighton at the John Smith’s Stadium tonight.

He scored his first goal for the club to kick-start Saturday’s 4-2 home win over Blackpool, and has helped Powell’s side claim 10 points from four games to climb to 17th in the Championship.

The initial agreement for former Premier League star Holt, frozen out by Wigan boss Uwe Rosler, runs until November 8, five more matches.

“Myself, chairman (Dean Hoyle) and (football operations director) Ross Wilson have talked about Grant,” said manager Powell.

They know how I feel about Grant and what he has brought to the team.

“We are really happy about what he has done and the impact he has made.

“But the situation is a little bit out of our hands. He is not our player.

“There is a lot to do before we are able to extend the agreement.

There’s what Wigan would like to do, and what Grant would like to do.

“What we can do is make this a nice happy home for him.

“He is playing matches, which is what he wanted, and enjoying himself.

“I am sure our fans will want him here to the end of the season.

“But we will have to tread lightly and see where it takes us.”