Team news ahead of Baggies clash

Last updated : 14 January 2006 By Paul Farrington
Leighton Baines: Race for fitness
A growing injury list left Paul Jewell with just 15 players for the midweek semi final with Arsenal. Lee McCulloch and David Connolly limped out of that game leaving PJ with a real head ache.

Mike Pollitt is expected to keep goal with the same back four of Henchoz, De Zeeuw, McMillan and Chimbonda in front of him.

Leighton Baines faces a race for fitness at left full-back after conflicting reports over the 21 year olds recovery from a hamstring injury.

Alan Mahon may return to the midfield and Lee McCulloch could well make the game after his groin injury in midweek was less serious than thought. Paul Scharner is expected to make his league debut.

Jason Roberts may be partnered by McCulloch after Connolly's injury and Camara's trip to Africa.

Wigan (Probable): Pollitt, Baines, De Zeeuw, Henchoz, Chimbonda, Bullard, Kavanagh, Scharner, Teale, Roberts, McCulloch.

Tomasz Kuszczak will be in goal for the Albion but Ugo Ehiogu will not be taking part. Any potential signing of the defender will come after the deadline. Neil Clement is still injured with a sore head.

Star midfielder Zoltan Gera will miss the game after he suffered a reaction to his groin injury on his return against Reading.

Kamara is away on international duty and Kanu has a fractured cheekbone leaving the Baggies with Ellington, Horsfield, Campbell and Earnshaw as their forward options.

West Brom (Probable): Kuszczak, Davies, Moore, Watson, Robinson, Inamoto, Wallwork, Carter, Greening, Ellington, Horsfield.

Prediction: Wigan Athletic 2 - 0 West Brom

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