Duo back in training

Nathan Ellington

Latics assitant boss Chris Hutchings told the official site: "Both Nathan and Lee have trained today and we must now wait and see whether they suffer any reaction to the hard work they have done. Both have been sore after their injuries but the pain is easing and we are hoping that they will be available on Saturday. Certainly 'Duke's shoulder has eased an awful lot and, though it is an awkward injury to treat, we're pretty sure he'll be OK for the weekend as long as he suffers no setback.

"Lee is a little bit different as he is still feeling his ankle but he has come through a hard session this morning unscathed and as long as there is no reaction he should train tomorrow too. We'll keep our eye on both of them so as not to take too big a risk but as I said, we are hopeful of having them both available.

"If they do make it it would certainly be a big boost because we have been down to the bare bones a bit in terms of numbers just lately. Unfortunately Per Frandsen, Jason Jarrett and Emerson Thome all remain on the sidelines, although we are hoping that Jason and 'Emo' will be able to feature in the reserve team game against Sheffield United next Wednesday."