ON-SONG Wigan striker Nathan Ellington is the big doubt ahead of the clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

He has a knee injury and missed the midweek Carling Cup defeat at Grimsby.

Ellington has scored two goals in successive games for Paul Jewell's team who expect a stern test of their promotion credentials from Mick McCarthy's team.

David Graham, who is lined up to deputise and would partner Jason Roberts, said: "I just have to take my chance when I get it.

"I assumed when I came here it would be a case of trying to force my way in. I'm not concerned about making the step up. I have been at Rangers so I knew what competition was like.

"I am relishing the Sunderland game, that it is why I decided to join a club like Wigan."

Meanwhile, Latics' new recruit Gareth Whalley, the former Bradford midfielder, has been given two weeks to impress and possibly earn a contract. He has arrived from Cardiff where he was in the middle of a contract wrangle.

LAST SEASON: 1-1

KEY OPPONENT: Striker Kevin Kyle poses a threat

PREDICTION: Sunderland 2 Wigan 1 Tweet