Carlos Vela is poised to make his debut for West Brom in Tuesday's
Barclays Premier League clash at home to fellow strugglers Wigan.
The Mexico striker has joined the Baggies on loan from Arsenal for
the remainder of the season.
Utility player Steven Reid is available again after recovering from
knee surgery, but midfielder Graham Dorrans is still sidelined with an
ankle problem.
Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo believes newcomer Vela will be
perfectly suited to the team's style of play and will help them climb
clear of the relegation zone.
He should have no difficulty slotting in with West Brom accustomed to
playing the same kind of passing game as the Gunners.
Di Matteo will hope the Mexican can inspire Albion to end a run of
six defeats in their last seven league encounters.
The Baggies boss said: "Carlos has got great technical ability. He's
got fantastic pace and he is a great attacking option for us.
"We are very pleased and delighted he has chosen to come and play
for us. It suits him very well the way we play football. That's the
main reason he came here.
"He can fit in very nicely in the way we play and be a big threat
for us. I think Arsenal were happy for him to come here and he was
happy. I think they were pleased that he chose us."
West Brom's only win since early December was a 3-2 home success
over Blackpool and Di Matteo knows the clash with the Latics is of
similar significance.
He believes the Baggies fans can have a major influence on the outcome
of the game.
Di Matteo said: "It's quite obvious it is a big game for both
clubs. It's similar to the Blackpool game here. We have the home
advantage and hopefully our supporters will be right behind us and give
the players that little bit extra to win the game.
"We lost 1-0 at their place and it will probably be a similar sort
of game. It was a very balanced game and I didn't think we deserved to
lose. It will be a similar affair."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will restore his first-choice
players to the side after resting a handful for the drawn FA Cup fourth
round match against Bolton at the weekend.
Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia should both be back in the
starting XI, while goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi will come back despite Mike
Pollitt's clean sheet.
Callum McManaman and Victor Moses impressed against the Trotters but
James McCarthy and Franco Di Santo's first-team return should keep them
out. Antolin Alcaraz remains out with a soft tissue problem.
Martinez is confident McManaman's emergence has spared Wigan
scouring the transfer market for a new striker.
Manager Martinez shipped out underperforming summer signing Mauro
Boselli on loan to Genoa earlier in the transfer window but instead of
looking for a direct replacement he has opted to give 19-year-old
McManaman his head.
The forward scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup win
over Hull and showed further promise with a lively display in the draw
at Bolton.
Martinez believes he can continue to be of use between now and the end
of the year and is happy with his compliment of attacking options.
"Callum's ready for whatever role we will give him. It's not a case
of relying on Callum to stay in the Premier League. But he's ready,"
said Martinez.
"We've also got Hugo (Rodallega), Charles (N'Zogbia), Franco (Di
Santo), Victor (Moses) and Tom (Cleverley) at the club, so the forward
line is very good here.
"Rather than bringing in a player without any Premier League
experience, to be an extra member of the squad, I feel Callum deserves
that role in the squad."
Source: DSG