After defeat at home by Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic boss Chris Hutchings admitted he is desperate for his big players such as Mario Melchiot, Antonio Valencia and in particular Emile Heskey to return from injury and restore some semblance of their fine early season form.

Hutchings said: "We have got to make sure Emile comes back right and we don't rush him so he is going to have any kind of complications later on.

"It's been a tough time for us. I don't want to bleat on about the injuries but those players who've been out had started the first four games in which we got results."