WIGAN are aiming to shrug off their midweek Carling Cup defeat by hitting top spot in the Premier League.

With Chelsea and City not playing until Sunday, a win at Newcastle could send the third-placed Latics back to the top of the pile for the second time this season.

Boss Chris Hutchings will bring back his big guns after the midweek cup knock-out by Championship side Hull and his squad could be boosted by two new signings.

He's pipped Bolton to snap up 23-year-old Dutch winger Rachid Bouaouzan from Sparta Rotterdam in an £800,000 deal, and has followed that by landing Charlton's much-travelled striker Marcus Bent, 29, on a season-long loan.

Bouaouzan, who is of Moroccan descent, hit the headlines in the Netherlands in 2004 when he broke a rival's leg - got suspended for the season - and ended up in court charged with assault.

He has been out of favour after a bust-up with his coach.

Return

Meanwhile, it's a swift return to St James's Park for Antoine Sibierskiand defender Titus Bramble.

Sibierski - recovered from a hamstring injury - was only there for a year and proved a big favourite, scoring four goals in the Magpies' UEFA cup campaign, and another three in the Premier League.

The 33-year-old left after a promised two-year deal failed to materialise and he chose Wigan ahead of local rivals Bolton and has hit three goals so far.

"The way it ended at Newcastle was sad," he said. "But I'm really happy at Wigan. It's been a great start for me and I'll be very happy if I finish the season with 15 goals."

Bramble, 25, had a tougher time after a £5m move from Ipswich in 2002, scoring seven goals in 156 games, but also taking plenty stick from some fans.

But Hutchings had no hestitation in making them his first two signings after taking over from Paul Jewell.

Bramble, who will be up against Michael Owen and Nigerian star Obafemi Martins, said: "I was in and out of the team at Newcastle and that's not good for any player. It was time for a change.

"I don't know what kind of reception I'll get but I'm looking forward to the game."

Hutchings said: "I've got great faith in them to go back there and do a good job. I've been delighted with both of them.

"They have done very well but they have to maintain their form."