Injury Update And Team News - Latics v Reading

Wigan Athletic have got something of an injury crisis ahead of Saturday's clash with Reading, long term absentees Antolin Alcaraz and Albert Crusat have been joined on the 'long list' by Ben Watson, who unfortunately suffered a broken leg at Liverpool last weekend

James McArthur, according to reports, is at least two weeks away, whilst skipper Gary Caldwell has a hamstring problem and he's rated as highly doubtful.

Add to this both Franco Di Santo and Ryo Miyaichi who have suffered knocks during training and are rated at 50/50. It's looking like there will be a major shuffling around of players for Saturday and hopefully one or two just might take advantage and make a claim for some long term involvement in the starting eleven.

Tomorrow's team will undoubtedly be dependent on late fitness checks, but one possible Latics line-up - Al Habsi, Boyce, Ramis, Figueroa, Stam, Beausejour, McCarthy, Jones, Maloney, Kone, Di Santo/Boselli

Speaking about the injury situation Latics boss Roberto Martinez said - 'I don't think Gary will be available for this weekend's game with the hamstring injury picked up at Anfield, but hopefully his absence will only be a short one.

'James McArthur is still perhaps a week or so away from full fitness as well, which makes it the worst moment of the season for us in terms of injuries, but of course at the same time it opens up opportunities for other players who have been working hard for a chance in the team.

'This is one of the worst periods for injuries for a long time'

'But if I'm being honest, you have to be prepared for that.

'That's why you work with a squad of 24 - even though in our case part of that 24 is very, very young.

'I'm confident if we need to use the youngsters, they're ready to help the team.'


Reading meanwhile have had some better news on the injury front with Jimmy Kebe and Alex McCarthy likely to be back in contention, but Jem Karacan and Danny Guthrie are still missing

Reading from - Federici; Gunter, Shorey, Morrison, Gorkss; Leigertwood, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, McAnuff (c); Le Fondre, Roberts, Taylor, Cummings, Mariappa, Harte, McCleary, Hunt, Pogrebnyak, Kebe, McCarthy

Speaking about Readings injury situation, boss Brian McDermott said - 'Alex McCarthy is doing a bit more in training today which is good

'Danny Guthrie will hopefully train on Sunday and Jimmy Kebe will possibly train today (Thursday). Jem Karacan has been running but is still not quite right. Apart from that, everyone else is fine from last weekend. Jimmy is possibly in contention - everyone else, not quite.'


The latest PWU podcast is now available for downloading and listening to

This week we are missing two of the regulars, Greg is in London on a bit of business and Rob is suffering with a dose of 'man flu', best wishes Rob on a speedy recovery, I know that man flu really does floor you!

So the chatters are Barry, Dan, Paul and Gareth, we are chatting about our defeat at Anfield and where it all went wrong, plus we look ahead to this Saturday and the visit of Reading to the DW Stadium.

You can download the podcast from itunes, you can download from our hosting site www.buzzsprout.com , or simply click play on the embedded player below

As always feedback, both positive and negative is welcome and if you want to get involved in the recording of future episodes please contact us at wigan@vitalfootball.co.uk marking your email 'Podcast`



















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