WIGAN missed a golden opportunity to ease their relegation worries as they were held to a goalless draw by an already-relegated and understrength Portsmouth.

Emmerson Boyce is close to a return after missing Wigan’s last three games with a range of injury problems instigated by a back issue.

Wigan defender Gary Caldwell will miss Sunday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham as he begins a three-match ban.

IF they manage to get Champions League football, no-one at Eastlands will remember how much anxiety and nerves there were on the way but this was another horrible night for Roberto Mancini’s side before Carlos Tevez scored three times to bring some relief.

Emmanuel Adebayor returned to the Manchester City side against Wigan after a four-match suspension.

Wigan could again be without playmaker Charles N’Zogbia for Monday’s Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester City.

Wigan have close to a fully-fit squad available for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash against Aston Villa at the DW Stadium.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez expects to have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from for the visit of Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League on Monday.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez felt his side were denied a point by a controversial penalty award as they went down 1-0 at Birmingham to remain deep in relegation trouble.

Birmingham 1 Wigan 0

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has named an unchanged side for today's home Premier League clash with Wigan.

Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy and Titus Bramble are both doubtful for Wigan's Barclays Premier League trip to Birmingham tomorrow.

Wigan defender Titus Bramble is a major doubt for the visit of Tottenham to the DW Stadium on Sunday.

CHARLES N’ZOGBIA hit the post as neighbouring relegation rivals Wigan and Bolton fought out a drab goalless draw last night.

In-form Republic of Ireland midfielder James McCarthy is Wigan’s only concern for tomorrow’s rearranged Barclays Premier League clash against Bolton.

Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller, who was arrested at the weekend, was named as a substitute for the Barclays Premier League match at Wigan tonight.

Wigan captain Mario Melchiot remains an injury doubt ahead of the Latics’ FA Cup fourth-round replay against Notts County tomorrow.

Wigan could be without captain Mario Melchiot for the visit of Everton tomorrow in the Barclays Premier League.

NIKOLA KALINIC shrugged off his Carling Cup disappointment by scoring a Lancashire derby winner to ease Blackburn’s relegation worries.

Wigan captain Mario Melchiot is determined to face Notts County in the FA Cup tomorrow and will wear a mask to cover a broken nose.

Midfielder Mohamed Diame is Wigan’s only absentee for the visit of Aston Villa in the Premier League tomorrow.

HULL’S Kevin Kilbane has called for a winter break to ease the financial burden on fans ahead of FA Cup third-round day.

Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt is on stand-by to replace Chris Kirkland for the FA Cup third round visit of Hull tomorrow.

ALEX FERGUSON suggested on Tuesday that his side were coping admirably without Cristiano Ronaldo this season. If Wayne Rooney continues to play like he played here in this 5-0 victory, Ronaldo is likely to become little more than a footnote in the club’s recent history.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will check on the general fitness of his squad ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Manchester United.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will check on the general fitness of his squad ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Manchester United.

Mohamed Diame is out of Wigan’s local derby with Premier League rivals Bolton at the DW Stadium on Monday.

THEY paid tribute to Bill Shankly at Anfield last night in their tens of thousands and, while the current Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is still some way short of having the same impact on Merseyside as the legendary Scotsman, goals from David N’gog and Fernando Torres at least ensured a victory over Wigan and an end to recent miseries, for the moment at least.

Stoke striker James Beattie – alleged to have had a dressing-room bust-up with manager Tony Pulis after last week’s defeat at Arsenal – has been named as a substitute for the visit of Wigan today.

Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland will be given until the last possible moment to prove his fitness ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash at Stoke.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has a fully-fit squad to choose from for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Birmingham at the DW Stadium.

WIGAN’S players have offered to refund supporters who travelled to Sunday’s 9-1 thrashing at Tottenham.

Tottenham skipper Robbie Keane was on the bench for the Barclays Premier League clash against Wigan at White Hart Lane following his World Cup efforts with Republic of Ireland in midweek.

Swedish full-back Erik Edman could return to the Wigan side against Fulham at the DW Stadium on Sunday.

Wigan will be without Maynor Figueroa in their Barclays Premier League clash at Portsmouth tomorrow as he recovers from a knee injury.

HUGO RODALLEGA’S English might still be a work in progress, but at the moment his feet are assuming the eloquence on his behalf.

Burnley 1 Wigan 3

Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and midfielder Paul Scharner are both doubtful for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match at Burnley.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will assess the fitness of his various international players before selecting his squad for Sunday’s visit of Manchester City.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will assess all his options before selecting his squad for tomorrow’s Premier League match at struggling Hull.

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda insists the players are determined to shake off their Wigan woes by maintaining an unbeaten start to this season’s Champions League campaign.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti made one change to the team that defeated Tottenham as they went in search of their seventh straight win in the Barclays Premier League against Wigan.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has hinted he may make changes for the visit of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea tomorrow.

ARSENAL forward Robin van Persie is relieved Thomas Vermaelen is on his side now after getting rough treatment and falling out with the Belgian centre-back two years ago.