Wigan Athletic v Liverpool
Defender banned for Wigan
Wigan will be without suspended defender Steven Gohouri for the visit of Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League.Gohouri came back in to the Latics side at Blackburn on Saturday after a period out with a calf strain, but picked up his fifth booking of the season and is banned for one match.
Emmerson Boyce is a week away from being fit and available as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, while James McCarthy (ankle) is not expected to be back in action until January at the earliest.
Boss Roberto Martinez believes his side could be coming up against Liverpool at the worst possible time.
The Merseysiders travel to the DW Stadium in good form having won their last three Barclays Premier League games, including an impressive 2-0 triumph over champions Chelsea on Sunday.
Roy Hodgson's side made a poor start to the season but have since hoisted themselves out of the relegation zone and Martinez feels if the Latics are to halt the Reds' momentum, they will need luck to be on their side - something that seemed to desert them in their 2-1 defeat at Blackburn on Saturday.
"It is probably the worst moment to play them,'' Martinez said. "Looking at the Liverpool side now, they play with huge energy and confidence - they were a joy to watch against Chelsea and you can start to see Roy Hodgson's hand on that side.
"Sometimes in football you need to be lucky and have a little bit of luck when you play the top sides, it is really important.
"I think we need to carry on with what we are good at, be stubborn, show good arrogance on the ball and make sure that we show we are playing at home.''
Defender Glen Johnson is set to return to Liverpool's squad for the short trip.
The right-back missed Sunday's win over Chelsea with a minor groin problem but has trained and manager Roy Hodgson will have to decide whether to replace youngster Martin Kelly, who impressed against Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Central defender Sotirios Krygiakos is absent with tonsilitis and Joe Cole is still sidelined by a hamstring injury but Fabio Aurelio is fit after a long lay-off, while Ryan Babel has recovered from bruised ribs but will be eased back in by Hodgson.