Chris Herd to join Wigan on loan - reports

Socceroo Chris Herd is set to join Wigan Athletic on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the 2014-15 season, according to local media reports in the UK.

Herd, 25, has not featured for Paul Lambert's Premier League team in any competition this season and, with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, is not expected to remain at Villa Park.

Able to play in defence and midfield but cursed by injuries in recent years, Herd was a surprise inclusion in Australia's Asian Cup squad but an Achilles injury forced him to return to England after the Socceroos' 4-1 opening victory over Kuwait and without featuring at the tournament.

After a brief loan spell at Bolton Wanderers earlier this season - where he made two Championship and one League Cup appearance - the Perth-born utility player will be back in England's second tier, aiming to earn regular minutes at Malky MacKay's side, according to the Birmingham Mail.

The Latics are second from bottom on the table, five points from safety and having played one match more than the two teams directly above them.