WIGAN Athletic could be boosted by the return of Amr Zaki for the trip to Arsenal.

Zaki, Wigan's leading scorer has missed the last three games with a calf injury but he returned to training this week and club medics will assess his fitness.

His last outing was ironically against the Gunners in last month's 3-0 Carling Cup defeat.

Manager Steve Bruce may be tempted to hand him a bench role at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid continue to be linked with the Egyptian international who is on a year-long loan at Wigan.

Bruce will be reluctant to drop a revitalised Henri Camara who has scored in the last two victories.

He is full of praise for the in-form Senegalese player and said "Henri has certainly shown a striker's instincts with his goals and has done well.

"We told him at the start of the season when he came back from his loan spell at West Ham that if he trained hard he would get his chance.

"He's taken it and I'm pleased with his return."

Contract

Camara, 31, is trying to win a new contract and wants to stay at Wigan.

He said: "I'm just pleased to be back in the team. Scoring goals is always nice.

"I feel good, I'm a confidence player and I still believe I can offer something in the Premier League."

Camara will again lead the attack alongside Emile Heskey who could be on his way when the transfer window reopens next month.

Bruce is naturally keen for Heskey to stay but chairman Dave Whelan may accept a sizable offer for the England striker who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Whelan is on record saying: "Keeping Heskey until summer could cost Wigan up to £4m.

"We will have to wait and see what January brings."

Paul Scharner returns to the squad after missing last week's win over West Brom due to illness. Bruce wants Wigan in mid-table by the turn of the year but expects a tough test.

He said: "We have given Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United a good game and I'm sure we can do exactly the same against Arsenal."

Arsenal will be without defender William Gallas (calf) for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Wigan at the Emirates Stadium.

However, Kolo Toure (calf) is likely to be available again, along with Emmanuel Eboue (knee).

Striker Eduardo continues his rehabilitation from a broken leg, but is not yet match-fit. Abou Diaby (stomach muscle), Theo Walcott (shoulder) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Arsenal (from): Almunia, Clichy, Toure, Silvestre, Sagna, Nasri, Denilson, Fabregas, Song, Adebayor, Van Persie, Fabianski, Ramsey, Wilshere, Djourou, Vela, Bendtner, Eboue.

Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Taylor, Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Brown, Koumas, Palacios, Camara, Zaki, Heskey, Melchiot, Kilbane, Pollitt, Kingson, De Ridder, Cywka.

Arsenal league form: LWLLW

Wigan league form: WDDWW

Key opponent: Robin Van Persie - possesses the most dangerous left foot in the Premier League

Prediction: Arsenal 2 Wigan 1 - Arsenal are having a rocky season but their win against Chelsea proves how much quality they have

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 16/1 on Wigan winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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