Baines is the club's most successful youth product having become a full England international since being sold to Everton for £6million four years ago. The 26-year-old left-back is also enjoying an outstanding season and could push his old club closer to relegation with another fine performance when he returns to the DW Stadium with the Toffees on Saturday. Wigan are back in the bottom three after defeat at Sunderland last weekend and have just four games remaining to preserve their top-flight status. Martinez said: "We have always been very proud of Leighton. He has always been a diamond produced in our ranks. "It has been a little bit disappointing we haven't promoted more youngsters since Leighton left. "When he played for England it was a very proud day for many people at Wigan Athletic and we wish Leighton the very best of luck after Saturday. "If we could be successful and achieve our aim this season that would allow us to kick on as a football club. "The playing staff is so young I feel we would really get the full potential from the group of players we have got. "We have so much to gain rather than a lot to lose and that is the exciting aspect of our battle." The club have high hopes for 20-year-old forward Callum McManaman, who has signed a new two-year contract. A head injury suffered in January has slowed the youngster's progress but, with eight senior appearances, he is the first fully homegrown youngster to play League football since Baines. Martinez said: "It is a fantastic story to have another youngster coming through the ranks. "We want to carry on producing good young, local talent that can look up to the level Leighton Baines has achieved." Wigan had lifted themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time in three months with victory at Blackpool a fortnight ago. Sunderland's poor form prior to last week's trip to the Stadium of Light then offered hope of recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season but the 4-2 loss was a heavy blow. Despite the setback, Martinez remains confident and does not feel his team need to resort to desperate measures. He said: "There is nothing different for us, it is not all of a sudden that we see ourselves in this situation. "We have been dealing with this situation for the last six months. "From our point of view, nothing changes. We have found a very good level of performance in the last 10 games and we need to carry on with that until the last day of the campaign. "The points tally we thought was going to be needed has probably dropped slightly but I still think you will need around 40 points. "That will be affected by the results of the teams that are going to play against each other in the last four games but I don't think you can look further than the next game. "For us it is the most important fixture of the season and that is the way we have to treat it." Seventh-placed Everton would appear to have little to play for this weekend having long since pulled clear of relegation danger but having left it too late for a serious European push. But the Merseysiders can still boast good form having gone seven games unbeaten prior to last week's 1-0 loss at Manchester United. Martinez said: "Their points return over the last 12 games has been phenomenal. "If you look at the experienced players they have got, they are a team that is capable of competing against anyone. "Unless you are at your best, you will not be able to compete against them." Wigan have often been criticised for their poor attendances but Martinez expects a big crowd for the penultimate home game of the season. He said: "The support from the crowd is vital at this critical stage of the season and I have no doubt we are going to get that atmosphere." Wigan are back to full strength with left-back Maynor Figueroa returning from suspension.
