Work still to be done

Last updated : 10 January 2003 By Paul Farrington
Dinning: Likely to be back in the starting eleven tonight at Ashton Gate.
Victory at Ashton Gate would give Latics a 12-point lead at the top of the table, at least until Cardiff and Oldham in the chasing pack play tomorrow afternoon.

And it would leave City in fourth place with a massive 13-point deficit to make up.

But Jewell won't study the table until May, and until then, league positions are of no concern to him.

Jewell said: "You've only got to remember what happened to Wolves last season.

"They looked home and dry for promotion into the Premiership but ended up missing out.

"We all know things aren't decided until May so we'll just carry on as normal until then."

While Jewell was sounding a cautious note, Latics headed for the west country this morning in confident mood.

Nine straight league wins have put them in pole position and last week's FA Cup exit at Stoke when four key players were rested is regarded as a minor blip.

The four – Jason de Vos, Tony Dinning, Nathan Ellington and Lee McCulloch – all return to the side this evening with Jewell likely to field the side which beat Notts County 3-1 on New Year's Day.

It means Peter Kennedy continuing at left-back with Steve McMillan not quite ready to return after a neck injury.

Jewell said: "Steve still isn't fully fit, but to be fair, Peter has had his best games for us at left-back.

"I thought he was excellent in the Notts County game and recent performances put him in the side on merit.

"This is a massive game and obviously if we can go there and get a result it makes it much more difficult for Bristol City to catch us up.

"We will be going all out to win the game and I'm sure they will be too.

"Danny Wilson has a very strong squad, and after a poor start to the season, they have been on a fantastic run.

"They have scored goals throughout their team and have some good players such as Tinnion, Bell, Murray, Peacock and Roberts, although he is suspended tonight.

"But we want to focus more on ourselves, and every team we play, we treat with the same respect.

"Every week it is down to how we perform ourselves rather than what the opposition do."

Top scorer Ellington is keenly awaiting the game having played for City's rivals Bristol Rovers before his £1.2m transfer to Latics.

And Jewell is backing him to ignore the stick he is likely to receive from the home fans tonight.

The boss said: "The Duke is looking forward to the game and I'm sure the stick he'll get will inspire him.

"You don't get booed if you're a bad player, that is why I got booed everywhere I went!

"I'm not worried about him at all, hopefully the stick he'll get will inspire him to a good performance."

Jewell was able to put his squad through their paces on grass at the stadium yesterday after being forced to train indoors earlier in the week because of the icy weather.

The game is being shown live on Sky Sports 1, kick-off 7.45pm, with Premiership referee David Pugh in charge of proceedings.

Article from the Wigan Evening Post.