King to rule Riverside?

Latics go into this game at the Riverside high on confidence and with new blood in the squad there is a genuine optimism for victory on Teeside

Marlon King is set to make his debut for the Latics and the big talking point is who he will partner up front with both Bent and Heskey losing the goal scoring touch Antoine Sibierski could be the surprise choice

Erik Edman could also come in for his debut so long as he has shaken of a calf strain that kept him out on Saturday Kilbane is on stand-by to carry on at left back

Boro had a tough game at Mansfield on Saturday and they will be delighted to be able to get back home and back playing in the league to try and get some points to drag them away from danger

Gareth Southgate has hardly set the managerial world on fire but he is always honest in his post match interviews and he doesn`t shirk his responsibilities

A good game could be on the cards and a six pointer with both sides able to climb to a possible 13th spot in the league table if they manage to win

Latics boss Steve Bruce:

"All the bottom teams are playing each other so it is a big, big night"

"But anybody will be looking at their next two games thinking `can we get back-to-back wins?` If you can do that at this time of the season, it gives you a huge boost

"We can go above Middlesbrough so make no mistake; they`re in it with us.

"We needed to address the situation quickly and the players have responded to the challenge. We were a bit unfortunate against Chelsea and we took on Everton, who are in the top four, and were very unfortunate against them."

Gary O'Neil returns after illness, but left-back Emanuel Pogatetz faces a late fitness test

Boro from:

Schwarzer, Turnbull, Young, Pogatetz, Grounds, Wheater, Huth, Riggott. O'Neil, Cattermole, Boateng, Rochemback, Arca, Johnson, Downing, Aliadiere, Tuncay, Mido, Lee.

Fat and lazy and if this is the future for Boro then it may well be Championship football next season

Marlon King set to make his Latics debut after his £5m move from Watford.

Swedish left-back Erik Edman is in contention after signing from Rennes.

Latics from:

Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Taylor, Bent, Heskey, King, Aghahowa, Boyce, Edman, Figueroa, Granqvist, Koumas, Sibierski, Skoko, Pollitt

On his debut would be nice to make a goalscoring start

Middlesbrough 1-1 Wigan Athletic
Yakubu 67 Camara 24 pen
Ref: Steve Bennett
9 December 2006

Rob Styles (Hampshire)

Card Watch:

Games - 17

Yellows - 60

Reds - 6

Heart say Laatics win 3-1

Head says Latics win 2-0

Either way we are too strong for them

Premier League
Latics Vs West Ham Utd
JJB Stadium
3 pm
Saturday
02/02/2008
My birthday

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