Watson banned for Latics
Wigan will be without Ben Watson through suspension when Uwe Rosler's men entertain Birmingham.
The midfielder accrued his fifth yellow card of the season against Reading on Saturday and therefore triggered an automatic one-match suspension for Blues' visit to the DW Stadium.
Striker Nouha Dicko was recalled from his loan spell with Rotherham, where he scored six times in five games, and boss Rosler, who again promised to shuffle his pack considerably in the aftermath of a fading performance against the Royals, confirmed he will be in the squad on Boxing Day.
Goalkeeper Scott Carson (thigh) and defender Emmerson Boyce (knee) are considered doubtful while club captain Gary Caldwell (hip) is expected to occupy the sidelines once more along with defender Juan Carlos Garcia (ankle) and winger Shaun Maloney (shoulder).
Birmingham boast no new injury or suspension concerns.
Striker Lee Novak returned to the bench as an unused substitute for Saturday's goalless draw against Nottingham Forest having missed the 2-0 victory at Bournemouth due to a leg injury.
He is now pushing to regain his starting place at the DW Stadium as Blues look to extend a seven-match unbeaten run.
Mitch Hancox, David Murphy, Matt Green, Neal Eardley (all knee), Jonathan Spector (thigh) and Akwasi Asante (hamstring) all continue to miss out.
Source: PA
