Everton v Wigan Athletic Preview

By Alan G
September 15 2006

Latics are set to name Kevin Kilbane in the team to face Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow (Saturday).

Striker Svetoslav Todorov may also make his first-team debut, and is on standby should Henri Camara fail to pass a fitness test on his hamstring. Lee McCulloch meanwhile, is struggling with a knee injury.

Tim Cahill should keep his support role behind Andy Johnson with James McFadden out, while in defence, Alan Stubbs is still recovering from a knee injury.

Everton (from): Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Naysmith, Osman, Carsley, Neville, Arteta, Cahill, Johnson, Wright, Davies, Valente, Beattie, Weir, Van der Meyde, Anichebe.

Latics (from): Kirkland, Boyce, De Zeeuw, Hall, Baines, Valencia, Scharner, Landzaat, Teale, Heskey, Camara, Todorov, Kilbane, Cotterill, Johansson, Jackson, Skoko, Pollitt.

Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)

 

Paul Jewell:

 

"The team (Wigan Athletic) is playing much better than the last two away results would suggest. We have looked a threat in both games and having won there last year, I know Everton will not be treating us lightly.

 

"It was another positive performance against Portsmouth but frustrating not to get anything out of the game. Like with the Newcastle trip on the opening day I thought we deserved to get something out the game.

 

"This has been a big week for us; I'm pleased we've be spent it together without any international call ups or distractions. Since the season began we've not had that much of a chance to knuckle down for a full week with the lads, but obviously we'll get that this week and I think we'll be better for it.

 

"We won there last season and it was a terrific result for us. We were on that run at the time where everything we touched turned to gold and just kept winning. Performance wise, I feel we're playing as well as during that spell last year, but certainly in the previous two away games not getting the results we deserved."