PAUL Jewell's Wigan Athletic old boys are determined not to do their former boss any favours when Latics visit Pride Park.

Wigan are still hunting their first Premier League away win of the season knowing that it could push Jewell's relegation haunted Derby County ever closer to the drop.

The squad is likely to include nine members of the squad from last season when Wigan's escape from relegation on the last day of the season was quickly followed by Jewell's decision to quit.

It ended a glorious six-year spell at the JJB making him both the longest-serving and most successful manager in Wigan history.

But all that counts for nothing as Steve Bruce is reminding his players that there is no room for sentiment .

"A lot of them are Paul's players - he brought them to the club. But I don't expect that to affect them. I'm sure they will just look at it as another game."

Derby are rooted to the foot of the table facing mission impossible, but Jewell, who turned down the chance to return to the JJB Stadium before Bruce was appointed, is refusing to throw in the towel while there's still mathematical hope. And Latics will be facing a re-shaped Rams side with up to five new faces possibly making their debuts.

Jewell - yet to win since taking the job - has been busy in the transfer window, snapping up former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert, the experienced Danny Mills, Argentine striker Emmanuel Villa, and Robbie Savage, who played under Steve Bruce at Birmingham.

With Paul Scharner suspended, Titus Bramble is back after his one-match ban, and Antoine Sibierski has recovered from a knee injury. But Ryan Taylor looks set to miss out despite intensive treatment on his damaged ankle.

Bruce added: "After making changes for the Sunderland game and getting such a great result I've now got huge selection problems. It's amazing what a couple of good results can do for confidence, and there's a bit of belief again." Midfielder Denny Landzaat is attracting interest from Ajax, but there has so far been no bid for the 32-year-old Holland international.

Bruce, who expects to add a couple of new faces to his squad next week, said "I don't really want to lose anyone."

Jewell is likely to hand debuts to a number of players for tomorrow’s visit of his former club Wigan to Pride Park.

Robbie Savage, Emanuel Villa and Hossam Ghaly could all make their County bows while Danny Mills could be handed a first Barclays Premier League start for the Rams after facing Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup last weekend.

Winger Laurent Robert, who signed a short-term deal earlier this week, has received international clearance to be able to play but captain Matt Oakley is on his way to Leicester for £500,000.

Doubts remain over Kenny Miller (groin), Claude Davis (knee), Andy Todd (groin), although the trio are expected to be fit - but Jay McEveley, Stephen Pearson, Stephen Bywater, David Jones and Dean Leacock all definitely miss out.

Derby County (from): Price, Mills, Todd, Johnson, Barnes, Mears, Moore, Feilhaber, Teale, Savage, Lewis, Robert, Ghaly, Miller, Fagan, Villa, Hinchliffe, Davis.

Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Kilbane, Valencia, Brown, Scharner, Landzaat, Koumas, Bent, Heskey, Aghahowa, Granqvist, Olembe, Skoko, Cotterill, Sibierski, Pollitt.

Key opponent: Robbie Savage - Midfielder puts in real graft in centre of midfield

Prediction: Derby 1 Wigan 1 - Jewell has made some good signings and Derby are improving

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You can get 6/1 on Wigan winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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