Wigan Warriors have announced their interest in buying financially troubled football club Wigan Athletic.

The Championship side went into administration last week and the English Football League confirmed a 12-point deduction would be imposed, though only if they finish outside the bottom three.

However, an appeal has been launched over the penalty, as confirmed by joint administrator Gerald Krasner on Tuesday. 

Wigan Athletic sit 16th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Led by Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan and chief executive Gary Speakman, as well as former Oxford United owner Darryl Eales, the rugby league club have outlined their plan to purchase the Latics, with the bid backed by the local council.

"Being born and bred in Wigan, Ian Lenagan and Gary Speakman understand what both clubs mean to the local community," a statement from the Warriors said.

"We strongly believe that Wigan Athletic is better being locally owned.

"As sustainability and ownership of the stadium is equally important to both clubs, we are currently working with our long-standing advisers KPMG and talking to external parties.

"Our intention is to identify other investors quickly and start due diligence on the football club with the intention of making a bid in due course. We have made the administrators aware of our interest and hope to explore this with them further over the days ahead.

"Wigan Warriors and Wigan Athletic are both local sporting institutions and it is our belief that this is a unique opportunity here to bring the ownership of these two great clubs together under one roof, each operating independently as before, but under a 'Wigan Sporting Partnership' banner."

"It is envisaged that each club would retain all its training grounds, management and facilities."