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Modern day footballers often find themselves with as much coverage on front pages of newspapers as the back, but Wigan Athletic's Jason Scotland has been showing his more compassionate side.

The Trinidad and Tobago striker has been helping fellow countrywoman and netballer Anastasia Wilson as she settles in the North West after signing for Manchester-based netball team Northern Thunder.

Wilson, who plays goal shooter, has 80 caps for her country and made her Thunder debut in the 61-39 victory over Leeds Carnegie.

She is also a lance corporal in the Trinidad and Tobago defence force and is using a sabbatical to keep her skills sharp and prepare for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Asked about what she makes of Manchester, Wilson told BBC Radio Manchester: "It's nice, it just reminds me of New Zealand and Australia to a certain extent. It's very, very cold. It should be illegal to be this cold.

"When I first got in contact with the team I went on the internet and saw the players, the stats, and even printed all of the schedule."

Scotland is also adjusting to life in the area after moving from Swansea City last summer and said: "I'd describe it as a wonderful city, I've just moved into Manchester myself.

"I've tried to show Anastasia around as much as possible, things like the Trafford centre, and I think she liked it."

Scotland recently went to his first netball game to watch Thunder and added: "I've never been to a netball game before, this is my first experience. They won so it was a good experience."

Despite settling off the pitch, Scotland has struggled on it, failing to score in the Premier League and just once all season - in the FA Cup against Notts County.

"It's been up and down this season," he said. "Obviously I'm a striker and I haven't scored any goals this season.

"It's been difficult but at the end of the day it's staying up in the Premier League that's really at stake now."