CEDRIC EYEING COAST CALL-UP
AFTER starting his career at Paris Saint-Germain, Cedric Kipre is now settled into the rather different surroundings of Wigan – and hopes to use his time as a Latic as a springboard for international selection.
The centre-half has become a mainstay in Wigan’s defence after his signing from Motherwell this summer.
Kipre is now first name on the team sheet for Paul Cook and is the only player to feature in every matchday squad for every game this season heading into this weekend.
The 21-year-old defender, who has featured alongside Chey Dunkley and Dan Burn, said: “The quality of the division is exactly what I expected.
“It’s a very tough league. It’s a big change from playing at Motherwell, where the volume of quality teams to play against wasn’t always there.
“Technically, the teams in England are much better but the tempo is more relaxed, whereas in Scotland the tempo is very, very high.
“I get a bit more time on the ball in the Championship and that’s good for the way the manager wants me to play.”
Kipre is also hoping to catch the eye of Ivory Coast boss Ibrahim Kamara before the end of the season and win his first senior cap.
With the Africa Cup of Nations next summer, the ex-Leicester man is keen to make the breakthrough as soon as possible.
“I’d love to earn my first call-up for the Ivory Coast senior team,” he said.
“I was called into the Under-23 team last year and it gave me the taste for it. I was very proud to wear the shirt of my parents’ country and I can only hope that I’ll be given the opportunity to do it again.
“If I keep doing what I’m doing, and continue to improve, then I’m confident of earning a place in the squad at some point in the future.”