TOWN fan Caleb Folan is hoping to emulate the feat of ex-Galpharm star Jon Stead and score the goals that will keep Wigan in the Premier League.
Three years ago Stead was a League II player with Town when he surprisingly joined a Blackburn side struggling at the time for £1.25m.
It proved to be money well spent by then manager Graeme Souness as Stead scored six goals in 13 games - five of which were winners - to keep Rovers in the top flight.
Folan might not be as prolific as Stead was then, but he is certainly enjoying his best season, prompting Paul Jewell to pay League I Chesterfield £500,000.
Folan, a one-time Town season-ticket holder, is hoping he can provide a similar kind of spark to Stead, starting at Reading tonight, as Wigan look to end a losing league run of seven matches which equals the club record.
"I remember Jon from quite a young age. I played against him a lot," said Folan, who started out as a trainee at Leeds.
"I watched him move on and progress and in a way, I feel I can do the same.
"Hopefully, I can prove myself at the highest level.
"When he joined Blackburn, he showed just what can be done.
"So if given the opportunity to play, I'll be approaching every game positively.
"I've always had belief in myself. I've come through good times and bad times, both in my career and life.
"I've learned to cope with the lows as well as the highs, so I've 100% belief in myself.
"I like to put myself about - use my pace and power - and hopefully, I will get quite a few goals."
Folan scored 12 for the Spireites prior to joining Wigan, but in particular, it was his performances against Manchester City, West Ham and Charlton in this season's Carling Cup which caught the eye.
The 24-year-old scored against all three clubs, exciting Jewell, who said: "He's come in for the last two days' training and he's shaken a few people up.
"He's aggressive, big, powerful and hungry."
