Wigan Athletic midfielder Tim Chow has revealed that he was told he would be released this summer two weeks before scoring on his full debut last weekend.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a run in the team under new Latics boss Gary Caldwell, coming off the bench in last week's defeat to Millwall before making his first start and scoring in Saturday's win over Brighton & Hove Albion - Wigan's first victory at home since August.
Before Malky Mackay was sacked and Caldwell brought in, Chow had been told that his future was elsewhere.
"Two weeks ago I got told I wasn't getting another contract," Chow, who is the first Wigan-born player to feature for the Latics in over 10 years, told BBC Radio Manchester.
"Full credit to the manager, he's come in and straight away he's told me that I've got a future at this club."
Despite finally ending their home hoodoo on Saturday, Wigan are still staring a second relegation in three seasons in the face as they are five points from safety with just two games to go.