FORMER Wigan boss Ray Mathias has been duty-bound to put one over his former club in tomorrow's final home game against a Portsmouth side scrapping for Premiership survival.

Mathias scouts for Pompey and boss Harry Redknapp has been relying on him for an expert lowdown on Wigan who aim to sign off a fine season at the JJB with a top performance.

Mathias believes Pompey will beat the drop and that ex-Bury keeper Dean Kiley has an importance role to play tomorrow. It will be his job to keep the goal intact and Wigan's strikers at bay.

Mathias said:"I have always rated Kiley and when he played for Bury you could see he had the potential to progress.

"He has vast experience and possesses a high level of calmness needed for such occasions as tomorrow. This is going to be one very big game.

"Kiley is without doubt a quality keeper who played well for Charlton and he has proved a very good signing for Harry at Portsmouth.

"I'll be keeping a look out for the result but I will be at Anfield. Portsmouth sign off next week at home to Liverpool so it's my job to take a look at the Reds in advance.

"I've seen Wigan quite a bit this season and they've done well but Portsmouth are playing with a lot of confidence.

Problems

Harry Redknapp watched the game at Craven Cottage. He speaks highly of Wigan midfielder Jimmy Bullard whom he signed at West Ham.

Wigan again have injury problems and manager Paul Jewell delays selection.

Meanwhile, one player earning glowing praise from the Wigan boss for his performances this season is tough-tackling left back Leighton Baines.

Jewell claims Baines is the best English full back in the Premiership this season.

He said: "Leighton has been the outstanding English full back this year.

"His career has taken off, he's been a regular here for the last couple of years but for some unknown reason, he's been out of the picture with the under-21s lately.

"I'm not going to start making comparisons but I would put him up there as one of the best players here this season for consistency and he is in my team week in, week out.

"It's no good for me banging the drum regarding the international situation. I had to bang the drum simply to get him in the under-21s so I don't think me doing that will get him into the full England squad but the lad is certainly talented.

"He played with us in the second division and it's been nothing short of amazing as to how he and others have stepped up and adapted to this level of football."

How highly do you rate Baines? Have your say.

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