WIGAN striker Emile Heskey has overcome a back injury sustained in last week’s 2-1 Premier League defeat by Everton.

Heskey limped off in the second half, but has trained this week and is fit to face Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at the JJB Stadium.

With only Ryan Taylor out with a knee injury, Steve Bruce has the luxury of a virtually fully-fit squad to choose from, including left-backs Erik Edman and Maynor Figueroa after both received international clearance this week.

Chelsea are sweating on the fitness of Germany midfielder Michael Ballack for the trip.

Ballack missed the midweek Carling Cup semi-final win over Everton because of a calf strain.

Chelsea are still without four players on international duty in the African Nations Cup - Salomon Kalou, Mikel John Obi, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba. Captain John Terry (foot), Andriy Shevchenko (back) and Frank Lampard (thigh) all miss out.

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

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, A Cole, Bridge, Carvalho, Ben-Haim, Alex, Sidwell, J Cole, Malouda, Pizarro, Anelka, Wright-Phillips, Makelele, Ballack.

Key opponent: Nicolas Anelka - His first goal must be around the corner

Prediction: Wigan 0 Chelsea 1 - Avram Grant's side have adapted well to the loss of players to the African Nations Cup and will be tough to stop

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 12/1 on Wigan winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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