As he settles into the Dutch trip, Latics' Austrian Mr Terminator says he wants to play 'a season from start to finish.'

Scharner and the rest of the party are preparing to play FC Zwolle on Tuesday and he says he can't wait to get started again. And he says he remains as committed to the cause as ever!

"I have now come back to pre-season training after a really good break and I am so looking forward to the new season.

"We finished the season in such a dramatic fashion. I just felt so good that day at Sheffield, and I had no doubt in my mind that we would do it. It was a fantastic match, and the main thing of course was that the team maintained its Premiership status for another year.

"It was a big surprise when Paul Jewell stepped down as manager. That sort of thing could have totally destabilised the club, but I am happy that this has not happened. Chris Hutchings is a fantastic coach, and I am totally behind him. I would much rather have somebody who I know and who knows me as manager.

He has his own ideas and that is a good thing. I want to be part of building something special at this club, and I feel Chris Hutchings will now build on the platform and progress the club.

He told the players he did not want to have a repeat of last year, and I agree with him. I want to be playing for a club battling for European places, but I want that to be here, at the JJB Stadium for Wigan Athletic.

Scharner: Unfinished business

There were some stories in the media linking me with a move away from the club earlier in the summer but they were rubbish and that was never in my mind. I still have not played a full season at Wigan Athletic. I came half way through the first season, and last season was disrupted by the most serious injury in my career, which put me out for three months. I just want to play one season from start to finish!"

"I have unfinished business at this club. I said when I came here that I wanted to be the captain of the team and that I wanted to win trophies here, and that ambition has not changed. Why on earth should I want to leave?

"I think the signings we have made during the summer have been excellent, really good additions to the squad. These guys are recognised performers in the Premier League who are going to add a lot of competition for places, which is always excellent."

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