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

STEVE BRUCE is as good as certain to be a Premier League manager again next season. His former employers should take note of that, for he might yet achieve it at their expense, and the final cost could run to millions of pounds.

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.

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 expect England striker Emile Heskey to be fit to lead their attack despite recent back trouble.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

IT has not taken long for Steve Bruce’s honeymoon at Wigan to come to a shuddering halt.

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.

The scale of Spurs’ success must be measured against the shortcomings of their opponents, however, as Wigan looked every inch a doomed side with seven straight losses.

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.

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.

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.

All the starting teams for the final round of matches in the 2006/7 Barclays Premiership have been confirmed.

All of today's starting teams for the 3pm games in the Premiership.

Wigan winger Antonio Valencia returns to the squad for tomorrow’s JJB Stadium clash with Middlesbrough after serving a three-match suspension.

Wigan winger Lee McCulloch is a serious doubt ahead of tomorrow's Premiership match with Liverpool at Anfield.

WIGAN boss Paul Jewell conceded his side were “severely punished” for making mistakes during the draw with Tottenham that again cost them points in their battle to beat the drop.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell is forced into three changes as his side looks for a vital Premiership win to ease their relegation worries today.

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Leighton Baines, Lee McCulloch and Fitz Hall all return from suspension to bolster Wigan’s squad for their Barclays Premiership match with Charlton at The Valley.

Wigan striker Henri Camara could come into contention for the Barclays Premiership match against Fulham tomorrow.