Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has laughed off claims that he is planning to sell the Premier League club and its DW Stadium.

Reports had suggested that Whelan was considering selling the club and ground to the owner of rugby league side Wigan Warriors, Ian Lenagan.

Whelan, however, has rubbished these claims, although he does admit that he plans to step down in the next two years.

"I intend to step down as chairman within the next two years but there are no immediate plans with regard to Wigan Athletic or the ground," he told Wigan Today.

"If people are saying I am selling to Ian Lenagan, well that's total rubbish. He is a rugby man and I don't think he would even want to buy the club. But I get on very well with Ian Lenegan, we are good friends and we both have the interests of Wigan at heart in our two chosen sports.

"Wigan Warriors use the ground and I want to see that continue. As far as the stadium is concerned, I have spoken to Ian in regard to increasing the amount of money both clubs should be putting into it for its upkeep."

Whelan purchased Wigan back in 1995 when they were a Division Three team, overseeing their meteoric rise to the Premier League.