Midfielders Michael Brown and Jason Koumas return to strengthen the Wigan squad for Monday’s Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Wigan are set to welcome back midfielder Wilson Palacios for their Barclays Premier League relegation clash with Birmingham at the JJB Stadium tomorrow.

Wigan's bid to escape from the jaws of relegation has been hit by a string of suspensions and injuries at FA Cup semi-finalists Portsmouth.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce will be forced into a reshuffle at Portsmouth tomorrow with four key players missing through injury or suspension.

FABIO Capello’s reputation for hard-nosed decision-making faces it’s first test in the Stade de France this Wednesday. Should the England coach lay out a blueprint for the future and name a line-up that includes Blackburn’s David Bentley on the right hand side of midfield?

Wigan’s Antoine Sibierski is unlikely to face Blackburn after sustaining a calf injury while preparing to come on against Bolton last week.

Wigan striker Emile Heskey has been given the all-clear to play in Sunday’s Premier League relegation battle with Bolton at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce has the luxury of a full-strength available for Sunday’s visit of Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce again has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.

Wigan could be without Mario Melchiot and Marlon King for tomorrow’s crucial relegation clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is set for a tough decision in attack ahead of the Barclays Premier League home game against West Ham.

IT is unclear whether Nicolas Anelka saw the man holding a banner stating “It is time to seek the lord” outside the JJB Stadium on Saturday.

Wigan striker Emile Heskey has overcome a back injury sustained in last week’s 2-1 Premier League defeat by Everton and is fit to face Chelsea in tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce makes just one change to his side for the visit of Everton to the JJB Stadium today.

THE date was October 16, 2001, and Paul Jewell had sunk as low as he could go with Wigan. Bottom of the old Second Division, the Latics were hammered 5-1 at Wrexham in an LDV Vans Trophy Northern Section first-round tie in front of just 1,550 fans.

Sunderland 0 Wigan 3

Wigan manager Steve Bruce will give some of his fringe players a chance to impress in tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Sunderland.

Emile Heskey is expected to face former club Liverpool as Wigan attempt to haul themselves out of the relegation zone by winning at Anfield for the first time.

STEVE BRUCE was left cursing the name of Gabriel Agbonlahor for the second time this season as Wigan’s recent revival was brought to a grinding halt in the JJB Stadium mud.

Manager Steve Bruce rates Emile Heskey “touch and go” for Wigan’s Premier League encounter with Aston Villa at the JJB Stadium.

NEWCASTLE boss Sam Allardyce had every sympathy with the fans who slated his side at the end of another miserable performance.

Wigan defender Mario Melchiot is available for the Barclays Premier League match against Newcastle on St Stephen's Day after serving a suspension.

FULHAM chairman Mohamed Al Fayed begins his search for a new manager this week knowing it is vital he finds a man to bring stability to west London.

Striker Emile Heskey could be a surprise inclusion in Wigan’s squad for their crucial Barclays Premier League game at fellow strugglers Fulham.

RECEIVED wisdom suggests that a steady diet of hard-fought, narrow 1-0 victories offers the best chance of Premier League survival.

Wigan 5 Blackburn 3

Wigan will be without captain Mario Melchiot for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash at Bolton as the defender starts a three-game ban.

England striker Emile Heskey is pushing for a starting place against Manchester City tomorrow at JJB Stadium after featuring as a substitute against Arsenal last week.

Emile Heskey is set to mark the first game of the Steve Bruce era by returning to the squad for the first time since September as the Latics head to Arsenal.

Wigan are set to name an unchanged line-up for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Tottenham despite the sacking of Chris Hutchings earlier this week.

AVRAM GRANT is allowing his Chelsea team to do all the talking for him as they continue to strut the Premier League stage like potential champions.

Wigan manager Chris Hutchings has an almost full strength squad to choose from for their home clash against Chelsea with Mario Melchiot, Denny Landzaat, Antonio Valencia and Antoine Sibierski all having made a successful return from injury.

CAMERON JEROME insisted Steve Bruce must remain as Birmingham manager if Carson Yeung completes his protracted takeover of the club.

Wigan are hopeful Mario Melchiot will be fit to face Birmingham at St Andrews tomorrow after receiving intensive treatment on a thigh muscle injury.

HARRY REDKNAPP has tipped Benjani Mwaruwari to become a Fratton Park cult hero after he raced to the top of the Premier League scoring charts at the expense of struggling Wigan.

Wigan 0 Portsmouth 2

Wigan midfielder Jason Koumas is in a race against time to be fit for tomorrow’s home clash against Portsmouth and maintain his ever- present record this season.

Wigan striker Antoine Sibierski is the only doubt for boss Chris Hutchings ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Wigan 0 Liverpool 1

Reading 2 Wigan 1

Kevin Kilbane is back from suspension for Wigan’s game at Reading tomorrow after missing last week’s 1-1 draw at home to Fulham.

Kevin Kilbane will miss Wigan’s home game against Fulham on Saturday as he serves a one-match ban for his sending-off in the Latics’ 1-0 defeat at Newcastle a fortnight ago.

Marcus Bent goes straight into the Wigan squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game with Newcastle at St James’ Park after joining the Latics on a season-long loan from Charlton.

Wigan manager Chris Hutchings is to shuffle his pack for the Carling Cup visit of Hull – meaning midfielder Michael Brown could be handed a full debut.