Rams in Town

Ex Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell brings his Derby County to the JJB today it what could be an emotional return for the likeable scouser.

Along with Jewell ex-players Gary Teale and Roy Carroll are expected to make the trip up the M6 in what will be something of an old boys reunion

Latics need to be focused for this game, Derby haven`t won away all season but got a creditable draw at Birmingham in last away day, Jewell is getting them sorted.

Hopefully Latics will prove too strong today and it would be nice to see Marlon King open his account on home turf, and there is also debuts expected for Erik Edman with possibly either Maynor Figueroa or Erik Hagen joining Edman in the squad

Latics boss Steve Bruce:

'We've taken something like 15 points from the last 12. If we do that again I am convinced we will be safe.

'This is one of the games we have to target. The biggest disappointment for me has been that while we have picked up big points against the top 10 opposition, we have not against teams at the bottom.

'It has been a tough time for Derby but they've shown a bit of resilience under Paul Jewell in the last few weeks and we can't take anything for granted.'

Derby boss Paul Jewell:

'I would really be gutted if Derby and Wigan went down. That would be a double-whammy for me.

'You don't work at a place for six years without developing an affinity, and the same goes for Bradford.

'But I think they will stay up. With the players there now, they will fancy their chances. I feel 36 points will be more than enough to stay up.'

Ryan Taylor is the only Latics player missing, he is suffering from a torn rib muscle

Latics from:

Kirkland, Melchiot, Koumas, Boyce, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Palacios, Brown, Olembe, Heskey, Bent, King, Granqvist, Bramble, Agahowa, Edman, Figueroa, Sibierski, Skoko, Hagen, Pollitt.

Wilson is quickly becoming a fans favourite and will surely be on the score sheet before too long

Derby full back Jay McEveley is set to return following a seven week lay off after being assaulted by Boltons thug player Kevin Davies

Derby from:

Carroll, Leacock, Moore, Todd, Stubbs, McEveley, Lewis, Edworthy, Savage, Fagan, Pearson, Jones, Miller, Earnshaw, Ghaly, Villa, Robert, Price, Barnes, Sterjovski.

Highly rated youngster with bags of skill and potential

This Season:

Derby County 0-1 Wigan Athletic
Sibierski 82
Ref: Mark Clattenburg
12th January 2008

Games played in Wigan:

Latics 3 wins, Derby 1, Draws 0

Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)

Card Watch

Ganes - 21

Yellows - 76

Reds - 1

Heart says 4-0 Latics win

Head says 4-1 Latics win

Manchester City Vs Latics

Eastlands

Saturday 1st March 2009

Kick-off time - 5.15 pm

Latics Vs Arsenal

JJB Stadium

Sunday 9th March 2009

Kick-off time - 4 pm

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