Pascal Chimbonda is expecting a 'frosty' reception when he visits former club Wigan this Boxing Day.

After joining from Bastia in 2005, the French full-back was one of the star performers in the Latics' first ever season of top-flight football.

He featured in all but one game during the 2005-06 season and was named in the PFA Team of the Year, having been voted the best right-back in the Premier League.

As a result, he was linked with a number of top teams that summer, before finally agreeing a move to Tottenham for a fee believed to be about £4.5m.

However, despite having such a successful season with Rovers' Lancashire neighbours, Pascal admits that the club's fans still haven't forgiven him for severing his ties so soon.

"Every time I go back to Wigan they boo me. Maybe for them it is normal, but for me it isn't," said the 30-year-old.

"I had one good year at Wigan and I did my best every time I went out on the pitch.

"But when you get the opportunity to move to a club on a different level you can't refuse that.

"It was a good opportunity to move to Spurs and to play in Europe, so that is why I left."

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