Tuesday 20 February 2018 17:01, UK
Wigan goalkeeper Christian Walton has revealed he almost missed the shock FA Cup win over Manchester City after falling ill on the eve of the game.
Walton became the first goalkeeper this season to keep a clean sheet for a winning team against City after helping the Latics to a surprise 1-0 victory in the fifth round of the Cup on Monday night.
However, the 22-year-old, who is currently on loan at the DW Stadium from parent club Brighton, admits he was at risk of missing the match with a suspected virus.
"I wasn't feeling great on Sunday night to be fair but it was just one of those things," said Walton.
"I don't really know [what it was] to be fair. It was just a bit of the shivers and I think it might have been a bit of a virus but it was only a 24 hour thing."
Walton added: "I was thinking 'Typical - getting ill on the biggest day of your life, in your football career', but no it was fine come Monday night."
Wigan will now face Southampton in the quarter-finals of the cup but Walton's focus is firmly on the club's upcoming league games against Rochdale and Bristol Rovers, with crucial matches against promotion rivals Blackburn and Scunthorpe also on the horizon.
"They are going to be two massive games," said Walton. "We need to enjoy last night and enjoy the moment while you can but ultimately we have to get back to winning ways in the league.
"Having Rochdale at home on Saturday is a massive game for us to get back to our promotion chase."
