Mike Pollitt set to return for Wigan Athletic
By Alan G
March 21 2006
Mike Pollitt could be in line for a surprise return to the first team this weekend after recovering early from injury. The 34-year-old has been out of action for the past three weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in the opening minutes of the Carling Cup final against Manchester United.
He was expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks but was able to take part in limited training last week and is set to step up his fitness programme in the next few days with a view to potentially returning to the side for the clash with West Ham on Saturday.
"Mike has been out training with John Filan and Gary Walsh, although he hasn't been able to do 100 per cent of the goalkeeping work yet," Latics assistant manager Chris Hutchings told the club's official website.
"We have to be aware of not pushing him too quickly and setting back his recovery from this hamstring problem."
Even if Pollitt can prove his fitness before the weekend, he will face stiff competition from John Filan.
Filan has kept two clean sheets in the three Premiership games he has started since stepping back into the team, and can also boast six shut-outs during a run in the team earlier in the season.
He is determined to hang on to a first-team place after
a stop-start campaign, especially as there is the outside chance of him going to the World Cup this summer with Australia.
The 36-year-old said: "I'm Australian, I'm a professional goalkeeper, so I must be in the running somehow.
"Mark Schwarzer is the No.1, and deservedly so. But after him it's just the opinion of one or two people as to who is next in line.
"You're not going to argue with the opportunity to go to the World Cup, it doesn't happen very often, especially to an Australian.
"There has only been one squad of players who have been there before, and, in that regard, I definitely want to be involved."