Tofffees in Town

Everton come to the JJB tomorrow looking to make an impact on the top four whilst the Latics are hoping to escape the bottom four.

Both teams are at the moment in good form and Latics are looking to make it 3 wins on the trot for the first time this season though the Toffeemen have never lost at the JJB

David Moyes will be missing several key players due to the African Nations Cup must notably Yakubu who has 9 league goals so far this season.

Former Latic Leighton Baines could be in line to face his former mates as he is getting back to full fitness following injury and in the Latics team there will surely be a place for Kevin Kilbane to face his former employers despite the signing of left back Erik Edman

This promises to be a good contest and with the Latics finally starting to live up to their potential once again we could end up leaving the so called experts with egg on their faces and three points staying at the JJB

Latics boss Steve Bruce:

'We seem to have turned it round but, as I keep saying to everyone here, we've done well, but we've not done anything yet.

'All we've done is given ourselves a chance on the back of a good run which we've managed to maintain.

'There's confidence now, a little bit of spirit and belief which you obviously need.'

Everton full back Leighton Baines:

'I was gutted that I missed the first game of the season through injury. But I'm looking forward to coming back to Wigan.

'I had some great times at the club and it was the first game I looked for when I signed for Everton. Hopefully I'll get a good reception from the Wigan fans - they were always really good to me.'

'Wigan will always have a special place in my heart and I really hope they stay up.'

Paul Scharner returns from suspension, Ryan Taylor looks to have recovered from injury plus new signing Erik Edman could go straight in the team at left back, Maynor Figueroa is still awaiting international clearance

Latics from:

Kirkland, Granqvist, Palacios, Sibierski, Kilbane, Heskey, Koumas, Brown, Landzaat, Aghahowa, Valencia, Boyce, Scharner, Taylor, Bramble, Olembe, Cotterill, Skoko, Melchiot, Bent, Edman, Pollitt.

Signed on a permanent 3 1/2 year deal just yesterday expect the Ecuador international to celebrate with a great performance

Everton will be missing several players on African Cup of Nations duty.

Striker Yakubu, who has scored 9 league goals in 17 appearances, is on duty with Nigeria, as is defender Joesph Yobo and midfielder Steven Pienaar is also away with South Africa.

Wigan born Leon Osman looks set to miss out on the trip with an ankle injury


Everton from:

Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Stubbs, Valente, Baines, Arteta, Carsley, Cahill, Neville, Johnson, Anichebe, Vaughan, Wessels, Gravesen, Anderson, Fernandes, Osman.

Although most Evertonians will be raving about Manuel Fernandes returning the ever dependable and one time Latics target Lee Carsley will play the holding role trying to stop Latics steam rolling Everton, good luck Lee

Latics have not yet beaten Everton at the JJB having drawn one and lost one out of the two Premier League games played in Wigan

Last seasons corresponding fixture:

Wigan Athletic 0-2 Everton
Arteta 65 pen, 90
Ref: Howard Webb
11 August 2007

Lee Probert (Gloucestershire)

Card Watch:

Games - 21 (5 Premiership)

Yellows - 53 (11 Premiership)

Reds - 2 (0 Premiership)

Heart says 3-1 Latics win

Head says 2-0 Latics win

FA Cup 4th Round
Latics Vs Chelsea
JJB
Saturday 26/1/08
5-15pm

Premier League
Middlesbrough Vs Latics
Riverside Stadium
Tuesday 29/01/08

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