JIMMY Bullard has been dropped from the Wigan squad for the Barclays Premiership clash with Portsmouth at the JJB Stadium.

With Bullard poised to sign for Fulham, it means the 27-year-old will miss his first league game of the season, having started in all but one.

Either Andreas Johansson or Damien Francis will get the nod to take over from Bullard in the centre of midfield, with that likely to be the only change from the team that lost at Craven Cottage on Monday.

Meanwhile, striker Lomana LuaLua and midfielder Pedro Mendes are ready to return to the Portsmouth squad.

Mendes is set to replace Richard Hughes after two matches out with a thigh strain while LuaLua, who has missed the last three games, may take a seat on the substitutesé bench after a weekés oxygen tank treatment on his damaged ankle.

On-loan Salif Diao may also figure having made a comeback as a late substitute last week after hamstring trouble.

Gary OéNeil starts despite a foot injury which has restricted his training since the win over Sunderland.

Wigan Athletic (from): Pollitt, Chimbonda, Jackson, Henchoz, Camara, Roberts, Johansson, McCulloch, Kavanagh, Francis, Wright, Teale, Connolly, Ziegler, Baines, Thompson.

Portsmouth (from): Kiely, Priske, Primus, Stefanovic, Taylor, OéNeil, Mendes, Davis, DéAlessandro, Todorov, Benjani, LuaLua, Hughes, Diao, Karadas, Routledge, Pamarot, OéBrien, Ashdown.

Key opponent: Gary O'Neil - Enjoying a fine season and will be up for the battle

Prediction: Wigan 1 Portsmouth 1

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You can get 6/1 on Wigan winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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