Latics reveal Taylor rib blow
21 Feb 2008 - 09:30:32
Wigan Athletic will be without Ryan Taylor for the next few weeks after the versatile defender was diagnosed with a rib problem.
The injury-plagued 23-year-old only returned in December from a long lay-off, but will now be out of action again until mid-March at the earliest.
Taylor's absence for Saturday's visit of Derby County could clear the way for Erik Edman to make his Latics debut.
The January signing is expected to be drafted in at left-back with makeshift defender Kevin Kilbane pushed further upfield into a more familiar attacking role.
Fellow January arrival Erik Hagen and out-of-favour midfielder Jason Koumas are also pushing for starts.
"Taylor is the only injury we have at the moment. It looks like the muscle has come away from the bone in his ribs so obviously he is still very sore," manager Steve Bruce told the Wigan Evening Post.
"The injury will repair itself, it just needs time. I would expect to be without Taylor for at least another couple of weeks.
"That leaves a space on the left side of midfield. Kilbane is an option to play there which gives the team balance, while Jason Koumas comes into the reckoning too.
"He keeps coming on and doing particularly well, so I'll certainly be considering him."
Meanwhile, Bruce has revealed that South Korean midfielder Kim Jung-Woo will be invited back to the JJB Stadium for a further trial after picking up a knee injury during his first opportunity to impress.
"He injured his knee when he was training although it's nothing too serious," revealed Bruce.
"We will maybe look again when he recovers. He has been at Grampus Eight in Japan, so he comes with a good pedigree."