Heskey set for return

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.

Heskey has been troubled by an ankle injury recently but the England striker returned to training yesterday and should be fit, along with Jason Koumas, who is now back from a groin problem.

Latics boss Steve Bruce has never lost against Rafael Benitez in Premier League combat but Wigan have an appalling record of 20 defeats in 20 games against England’s ’big four’.

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