Roger Espinoza: Wigan midfielder wants to leave, says Uwe Rosler

Espinoza started at Wembley as Wigan won the FA Cup in 2013

Wigan Athletic midfielder Roger Espinoza wants to leave the club for family reasons, according to manager Uwe Rosler.

The Honduran international has started just one game so far this season, in the League Cup loss at Burton.

Espinoza, 27, joined the Latics from MLS side Sporting Kansas City on a free transfer in January 2013.

"Roger came twice to me and wanted to leave the club. He wanted to go back to Kansas," said Rosler.

"I think after he came back after the World Cup he struggled to find an appetite for football."

Although a United States citizen, Espinoza opted to play for the country of his birth, and featured in all three of Honduras' World Cup games in Brazil in the summer.

"His family is in the States, it was very difficult." Rosler told BBC Radio Manchester. "I have never dealt with a player who has been at a World Cup, and I think for Roger it was a new experience.

Espizona (right) played for Honduras in all three of their 2014 World Cup games

"He was clearly off the pace and that was understandable in many ways - physically and also mentally - because when you work yourself up for four years to be at that mega tournament, nothing is bigger than this."

"He came back and wanted to go back to Kansas, he was homesick.

"I said 'I can't let you go Roger, not now,' because at that point me didn't have any players in the midfield.

Espinoza has made 47 appearances for Wigan since joining the club, scoring twice, and played the entire 90 minutes in their FA Cup final win over Manchester City in 2013.

Despite his request to leave, Rosler said Espinoza could still feature in the squad for Tuesday's game at Millwall.

"We've had a good talk about his future and he is now in a good spirit," added Rosler.

"Going forward, I think it is very difficult for a manager when a player is so strong-minded and convinced he wants to go home, because he wants to return home - so that is where we are with Roger."