DAVID Unsworth believes he has made "as big a signing as any player" by adding Mick Rathbone to his backroom team.

The widely respected and experienced former Everton physio has joined Latics as physio, working alongside current physio Claire Swindell and strength and conditioning coach Trystan Jones to bolster the club's medical department.

The 63-year-old, affectionately known as Baz, has almost 30 years' of experience having started out at Halifax at the end of his playing career, spending a considerable period with Everton, where he was Head of Medical, before joining a number of other clubs including Preston North End, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic.

Unsworth hopes Rathbone's appointment will not only help to shrink what is currently a lengthy injury list, but also help them to turn a corner in their quest for a first win under his stewardship.

“Mick is obviously someone I’ve worked with both as a player and as a coach,” said Unsworth.

“He is an outstanding physio, he is an outstanding conditioner, and he’s an outstanding psychologist as well and all these three areas are areas where we need much-needed help, and when I came in that was an area we needed to boost. That will give us a massive, massive help.

"Injuries have been an issue for us this season, so his experience and knowledge in those areas will go a long way in helping us rectify the problems we've had.

“Also the psychological work that he does with the players one-to-one. He’s a great man and he’s already made himself at home, and that’s why he’s so popular and so in demand.

“It’s a crucial signing. As much as it’s a staff signing I think this is as big a signing as any player that we’ll make.”

Unsworth added: “All the clubs want him, and he was one of my first phonecalls when I knew I was getting the job to see if he’d come in and help because I know how invaluable he is on the grass and in the changing room. He’s had success at every single place he’s been to.

“It’s a brilliant signing, backed by Darren (Royle) and the board again and it’s another step in the right direction.

“I’m absolutely thrilled, and the players are loving him already so that’s great.

“He’s a wonderful character, he’s a story teller, he’s funny, he’s also very serious when he’s working which I love, but the way he interacts with players I don’t know anyone who does it as well as he does and I’ve been in football forever.

“What he does is vital and it’s hard to measure what he does because he’s everywhere and for me it’s just a brilliant signing.

“He will help Claire, and Claire will become a better physio by working with him. Claire is outstanding, but she can’t do it on her own. We need some help in that area.”

As a player, Rathbone made more than 450 appearances for clubs including Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers and Preston.

Of joining Latics, he said: “The role will involve working alongside Claire and Trystan, focusing on the on-field side of things, the rehab and any acute injuries.

“I feel as though we are just starting to turn the corner with the injuries we currently have, a few of the lads are just starting to come back they are really determined to get themselves on the pitch again.

“I’ve have known David since I began as Head of Medical at Everton in 2002 and I returned to work alongside him with the U23s.

“I’ve written books about performance anxiety, which is something that essentially ruined my career as a footballer. I suppose I’ve become a bit of a guru in that field and that has taken me to a number of different clubs in recent years.

“I’ve always approached each role with great optimistic and I’m going to do the same here.

“There’s a real determination to get this club back to where it should be and there are exciting times ahead."