Wigan v Wolves preview

18 August 2009 10:17
Wigan will be hoping to build on their positive start to the new season when they entertain Wolves. The Latics put in a commanding performance at Aston Villa on Saturday, easing to a 2-0 victory over Martin O'Neill's potential top-four challengers. Roberto Martinez will be hoping the confidence attained from that result will carry over into midweek, and the omens look good. Wigan have met Wolves six times in league encounters and none of those games have produced an away win. The men from the West Midlands also failed to taste a single success on their travels during their last foray into the top-flight back in the 2003/04 season. Wigan, have, however, struggled for goals on home soil in recent times, with only 17 strikes recorded in 19 matches last term. Wolves established a reputation for being miserly on the road during their Championship title-winning campaign, winning four of their last six away fixtures by the odd goal. The Premier League presents an entirely different challenge, though, and Mick McCarthy will know his side will need to raise their game if they are to leave the DW Stadium with something to show for their efforts. A 2-0 reversal at home to West Ham on the opening day will have also ensured that Wolves will be desperate to get points on the board in their second outing. Wigan worryFrench midfielder Charles N'Zogbia is a doubt for Wigan ahead of Tuesday's showdown. The former Newcastle ace sustained a knock in Saturday's victory at Aston Villa and will be assessed before the game. Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has a dead leg but is not expected to miss out while Olivier Kapo remains sidelined with a knee injury. Wolves woesMcCarthy has described Wolves' treatment room as "emergency ward 10" ahead of their trip to the North West. Striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is sidelined for a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury picked up in Saturday's opening-day defeat to West Ham, while right-back Kevin Foley is also ruled out for a similar spell with a medial ligament problem. Kevin Doyle (groin) and centre-back Christophe Berra (hamstring) are still not 100 per cent and will also miss out but are expected to be okay for Saturday's game at Manchester City. Full-back Stephen Ward and midfielders Greg Halford and Matt Jarvis also picked up knocks at the weekend but are expected to feature, while striker Chris Iwelumo (foot) and winger Michael Kightly (hip and foot) remain out. Possible starting XIsWigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Brown, Thomas, Koumas, N'Zogbia, Gomez, Rodallega. Wolves: Hennessey, Zubar, Craddock, Mancienne, Halford, Henry, Milijas, Jarvis, Surman, Keogh, Vokes.

Source: SKY_Sports