Wigan v Sheffield Wednesday preview
Friday 3 February 2017 19:33, UK
Wigan could make wholesale changes to their side for Friday's Sky Bet Championship clash at home to Sheffield Wednesday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix from 7pm.
The Latics made eight transfer deadline-day signings and manager Warren Joyce now has to decide how many to introduce into his starting XI.
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Goalkeeper Matt Gilks, midfielder Jack Byrne and attackers Mikael Mandron, Gabriel Obertan, Josh Laurent and Omar Bogle were all recruited on permanent deals and will hope to make their Wigan debuts.
On a busy day for the club, they also bought in Hull pair Alex Bruce and James Weir on loan and they will also be pushing to start.
New Wednesday signing Jordan Rhodes could make his debut for the club after arriving for an undisclosed fee from Middlesbrough on transfer deadline day.
Head coach Carlos Carvalhal has confirmed Rhodes will be included in his 18-man squad, but will be without Steven Fletcher, who sits out the second game of his three-match ban.
Fellow striker Gary Hooper's on-going knock will be assessed, but Sam Hutchinson will return to contention after missing the midweek draw at Bristol City through suspension.
Winger Modou Sougou and striker Lucas Joao have joined Portuguese Primeira Liga side Moreirense and Blackburn respectively on loan until the end of the season.
Opta stats
Wigan have lost their last three league games against the Owls, each by a single goal margin.
Sheffield Wednesday won on their last visit to Wigan in the Championship, thanks to an Atdhe Nuhiu winner in the final 15 minutes.
Wigan are looking to win three consecutive games at this level for the first time since March 2014 (six in a row).
Ross Wallace has scored in two of his last three Championship games, having failed to find the net in any of the previous 25.
In Wigan's last 11 home league games, they've either scored twice (three times) or not at all (eight times).
Prutton's predictions
Wigan were beaten by Manchester United in the FA Cup but you can't take that into account and they had won three in a row before that. They have also signed Omar Bogle, who I think will be fantastic for them.
But Wednesday have bought Jordan Rhodes to add to the firepower they have already got and that gives them extra impetus after their surprise draw against Bristol City.
Rhodes has natural goalscoring ability at this level and is slightly different to Gary Hooper and Steven Fletcher. I think he will link up well with Fernando Forestieri if they have players running beyond using their pace.
With Rhodes you have to get him inside the box, which Wednesday can do as they get crosses in from the wide areas. It's a big statement from Wednesday. He didn't have the best time at Middlesbrough but he is still hungry and a goalscoring threat.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
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