WIGAN will make their Premiership bow against the champions at the JJB Stadium - but are likely to be without the departing top scorer Nathan Ellington.

Ellington has agreed terms on a £3m move to West Brom, which will leave Paul Jewell to field a new look partnership up front for the Latics.

Henri Camara and Jason Roberts will likely lead the attack against Chelsea, with the former set to make his Wigan bow.

Summer signing Mike Pollitt will also get the chance to start in the Premiership after his switch from Rotherham, following first choice keeper John Filan' absence with a hernia.

Veteran defender Arjan de Zeeuw and fellow new arrivals Pascal Chimbonda, Damien Francis, Stephane Henchoz and Ryan Taylor are also in contention.

Chelsea have a fully fit squad to select from, with summer signing Asier del Horno likely to start at left back. Didier Drogba is likely to lead the line after his performance in the Community Shield against Arsenal, while former Manchester City star Shaun Wright-Phillips could make a return to the north-west.

Provisional squad (Wigan): Pollitt, Walsh, Chimbonda, Taylor, McMillan, Baines, Jackson, De Zeeuw, Thome, Henchoz, Johansson, McCulloch, Francis, Kavanagh, Bullard, Mahon, Wright, Teale, Roberts, Camara, Frandsen.

Provisional squad (Chelsea): Cech, Cudicini, Johnson, Carvalho, Gallas, Terry, Ferreira, del Horno, Makelele, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Duff, Robben, Cole, Drogba, Gudjohnsen, Crespo.

Last season: Different divisions

Danger man: Frank Lampard - so many to choose from with Mourinho's men, but the creativeness of Lampard, and his formidable assist record from midfield, make him a frightening prospect.

Prediction: Wigan 1 Chelsea 3

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