WIGAN Athletic boss Paul Jewell has major injury worries to contend with before Sunday's Premiership clash with Aston Villa at the JJB Stadium.

Left-back Leighton Baines returned from international duty with England Under-21s nursing a painful calf injury.

Jewell expects Baines to make it, though veteran skipper Arjan De Zeeuw has a foot injury and striker Emile Heskey has not trained for a fortnight, he too has a calf complaint.

Antonio Valencia appears a definite non-starter with a hamstring injury.

On a brighter note, defender Fitz Hall and midfielder Josip Skoko have trained and Jewell could play Kevin Kilbane if Baines misses out.

Jewell says: "We have a few injury worries but we're looking to keep our good run going and we want the points with some big games coming up in December."

Raring to go

With Wigan depleted by injury, Matt Jackson, 35, could again figure and is raring to go after scoring against Charlton last week - his last goal in the Premiership had come 13 years ago before he headed Wigan's third against Charlton.

Jackson has revealed his `immense pride' in helping Wigan progress up the football ladder.

He has seen many changes during his illustrious career notably an end to the widespread drinking culture he says applied throughout football circles.

Jackson says: "Players these days no longer play on a Saturday and then spend the night drinking.

"We, as professionals, have a responsibility and I greatly enjoy my football and I now know why people tell you to play for as long as you possibly can.

"Team spirit now has to be built in a different way and from the mid-1990s we have seen a different regime apply in the game."

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