Heskey in doubt for season opener

Last updated : 11 August 2008 By Paul Farrington

An impressive 2-0 win over Utrecht rounded off the pre-season action in style as goals from Daniel De Ridder and Kevin Kilbane gave the Latics victory. De Ridder's goal in particular is said to be a cracking free-kick from 25 years.

The result came about despite the Latics being without Antonio Valencia and Amr Zaki, both due to work permit legislation.

Meanwhile, the news regarding Emile Heskey is that he has tweaked a hamstring muscle in the game and he was quickly withdrawn from the game to limit any further risk to the injury.

The Latics face West Ham next Saturday in the opening game of the new season and Steve Bruce is optimistic that Heskey will be fit. He said: "We think Heskey is going to be okay. He was a bit sensitive in the groin muscle area before the game and his substitution was precautionary.

"You don't want to take any chances at this stage - we already had a few players missing for this game."