Preview: Town – Wigan
By Martin
September 24 2008
Town will be looking to book a place in the 4th round of the Carling Cup by over coming Steve Bruce's Wigan at Portman Road tonight.
Town manager Jim Magilton is without strikers Pablo Counago who has an ankle injury, Jon Stead is cup tied which could pave the way for Danny Haynes to start and Dean Bowditch is reported to be in line for his first town appearance since October 2006. Alex Bruce could start against his father's team.
Town manager Jim Magilton: "I'm not understating the importance of the game, but we have different priorities although the aim of the age is to keep winning and building confidence.
"Our aspirations this year are to finishing as high we can in the league, while I'm sure Wigan will have ambition of going all the way in the Carling Cup.
"We are going to try and win the game because we have an opportunity to beat a Premier League side and that would be a massive scalp for us.
"Wigan understand that and it is a potential banana skin for them.
"It is a break from the league and game the players can look forward to and enjoy. It gives the players the opportunity to compete against a really good Premier League side."
Wigan will be without Amr Zaki who injured his calf at the weekend. Michael Brown will also miss the game to be with his wife and new born baby.
Wigan assistant manager Eric Black: "I don't know how realistic it is to say we could win the Carling Cup, but it's a chance to do well.
"History shows that by the time you get to the quarter-finals, quite a few of the big teams start to play their big guns.
"We want to go as far as we can in the competition, and the players are desperate to win tonight's game, as they are any match.
"While we're still considering who will play, obviously we want to field a strong team.
"Our squad isn't the biggest in terms of numbers, but there are still a lot of quality players who haven't been playing regularly recently.
"Daniel de Ridder, Olivier Kapo, Kevin Kilbane and Henri Camara will be pushing for a game, and Ryan Taylor is back in the squad too.
"We'll make a decision on who plays a bit nearer the time."
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