Wigan v Liverpool preview

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Hugo Rodallega is Wigan’s only fitness concern ahead of the game after suffering a knock during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, which was his 100th appearance for the club. He will be assessed over the next 24 hours.

Defender Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) is back in training, but is unlikely to play any part.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has no new injury worries ahead of the game but Jay Spearing serves the final game of his three-match suspension while Steven Gerrard (ankle) is still not ready to return from a two-month lay-off.

Forward Craig Bellamy may be rested having played 89 minutes of Sunday’s win at Aston Villa.

Wigan (from): Al Habsi, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, Moses, Gomez, McCarthy, Di Santo, Jones, Stam, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Lopez, Thomas, Sammon, Maloney, Crusat, Gohouri, Rodallega, McCarthy, Pollitt, Kirkland.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique, Kuyt, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Suarez, Rodriguez, Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Shelvey, Bellamy, Carroll.

Wigan v Liverpool preview

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Defender Glen Johnson is set to return to Liverpool’s squad for the clash with the Latics.

The right-back missed Sunday’s win over Chelsea with a minor groin problem but has trained today and manager Roy Hodgson will have to decide whether to replace youngster Martin Kelly, who impressed against Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Central defender Sotirios Krygiakos is absent with tonsilitis and Joe Cole is still sidelined by a hamstring injury but Fabio Aurelio is fit after a long lay-off, while Ryan Babel has recovered from bruised ribs but will be eased back in by Hodgson.

Wigan will be without suspended defender Steven Gohouri for the game after he picked up his fifth booking of the season at Blackburn on Saturday.

Emmerson Boyce needs another week to recover from a hamstring injury, while James McCarthy (ankle) is not expected to be back in action until January at the earliest.

Wigan (from): Al Habsi, G Caldwell, Stam, Figueroa, Alcaraz, N’Zogbia, Diame, Moses, Cleverley, Thomas, Rodallega, Di Santo, Gomez, Watson, Boselli, S Caldwell, McArthur, Golobart, Kirkland.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Lucas, Gerrard, Meireles, Kuyt, Rodriguez, Torres, Ngog, Hansen, Aurelio, Poulsen, Spearing, Jovanovic, Babel.