Latics hopeful over Melchiot fitness

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

Melchiot missed last week’s 2-0 home defeat against Portsmouth but is expected to return.

Antoine Sibierski (back) and Antonio Valencia (knee) are included in the squad and the only absentee is England striker Emile Heskey (fractured metatarsal).

Team (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Granqvist, Bramble, Boyce, Kilbane, Koumas, Landzaat, Brown, Scharner, Valencia, Sibierski, Bent, Aghahowa, Skoko, Taylor, Pollitt, Olembe, Hall.