Wigan Athletic Football Club

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25000

Latics wait on injured pair

09 Jan 2008 - 13:54:31

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Wigan Athletic are sweating on the fitness of Ryan Taylor and Antoine Sibierski ahead of Saturday's crunch relegation showdown with Derby County.

Defender Taylor injured his ankle in last weekend's FA Cup third round victory over Sunderland, while midfielder Sibierski twisted his knee in the same match.

The loss of Taylor in particular would be a major blow for Latics boss Steve Bruce, who has used the versatile defender in midfield in recent weeks.

Taylor, who scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United last month, recently returned to the first team after a long-term injury absence.

Sibierski would be in line for a place on the bench should he prove his fitness having lost his starting place to Emile Heskey and Marcus Bent in recent weeks.

"Injuries are always a big concern and these are two we could have done without," admitted Bruce.

"It's a case of seeing how they are over the next couple of days, I just hope they're not long-term problems."