WIGAN boss Paul Jewell is set to name an unchanged squad as his side look to claim a first victory in seven matches against City.

Only striker David Cotterill (ankle) and long-term casualties Ryan Taylor and Steve McMillan are unavailable, but none of the three featured in last weekés home defeat to Manchester United.

Former Hearts centre-back Andy Webster stepped up his bid for full match fitness with another full 90 minutes for the reserves at Newcastle on Thursday night, but a place on the bench is probably the best he can hope for.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Nicky Weaver remains City's major doubt for the trip.

The former England Under-21 international has only just returned to training after missing last week's home draw against Sheffield United with a back injury, so teenager Joe Hart is standing by to deputise once more.

Sylvain Distin, Claudio Reyna and Hatem Trabelsi should all recover from minor knocks but Darius Vassell (knee) and DaMarcus Beasley (ankle) are definitely out. Ishmael Miller is doubtful with a hamstring strain, while Ben Thatcher serves the final game of his eight-match ban.

One full-back who has enjoyed a better time of things than Thatcher this season is Wigan's Leighton Baines - a man who City boss Stuart Pearce believes could step up to international level soon.

"Along with Wayne Bridge, Leighton Baines is the one of the best two left-backs in the country behind Ashley Cole," said Pearce.

"He is improving all the time and the more games he gets in the Premiership, the better he will become.

"He is a decent player and I don't believe he would let England down if he did play against Holland."

Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Boyce, Hall, de Zeeuw, Baines, Teale, Valencia, Landzaat, Scharner, Kilbane, Todorov, Camara, McCulloch, Heskey, Pollitt, Jackson.

Manchester City (from): Weaver, Hart, Schmeichel, Distin, Dunne, Jordan, M Mills, Richards, Trabelsi, Barton, Dabo, Hamann, Johnson, Ireland, Reyna, Miller, Sinclair, Corradi, Dickov, Samaras.

Key oppopnent: Georgios Samaras - Mercurial talent capable of surprising defences

Prediction: 1-1

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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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