CALEB Folan, the striker who hit the headlines earlier this season by sending City crashing out of the Carling Cup, now finds himself on a rescue mission with Wigan Athletic.

Folan was spearheading the Chesterfield attack when he humbled the Blues. Tomorrow he is in line for his Wigan home debut against Portsmouth following his é500,000 move from Saltergate.

And he could well find himself leading the attack alongside fellow new recruit, Nigerian world cup star Julius Aghahowa, who only arrived in Britain yesterday from the Ukraine.

Folan, who played well at Reading in midweek, said: "I'm hoping that people might not be too aware of me and haven't seen me play. And that could work for me, because I could be the secret weapon.

"When I get my chance I work hard, give 100 per cent and see what happens. This is a dream move for me. I've come to Wigan knowing that we're fighting to avoid relegation but I'm sure we can get out of trouble.

"I was in a similar sort of situation when I first signed for Chesterfield a few years ago. They were down at the bottom and had to battle so I'm prepared for a battle here and, hopefully, we can start picking up the points we need to stay in the Premiership."

Interest

Manchester City scouts had been monitoring Folan's form at Chesterfield but Wigan decided to swoop and manager Paul Jewell liked what he saw in the 24-year-old former Leeds junior.

Folan added: "My move to Wigan happened very quickly once Chesterfield confirmed the interest and it was a case of getting straight in the car and coming over here.

"There wasn't a lot to think about when it came to agreeing the move because every player in the lower leagues dreams of one day being in the Premiership - this was certainly the case with me.

"I knew that teams were watching me and my agent kept me informed. Wigan were one of the main teams who were looking at me but it was a totally different feeling when I heard that they'd made a bid for me.

"Paul Jewell was very honest and positive when we spoke. He told me he'd seen me play and just wanted me to continue being myself, be confident and to believe in my ability.

"He said if I did that then I would be pushing for a place. I just want to do my bit to help the club stay up.

"I started at Leeds when I was 10 and I always wanted to play there but I found it difficult to break through because they had some good players there in Alan Smith, Harry Kewell, Robbie Keane and Rio Ferdinand

"I had a loan spell at Rushden and then went to Hull but when I returned to Leeds it was hard getting in the reserves because of the amount of players they had so I went to Chesterfield where I enjoyed my football.

"This is now a new challenge and one I'm looking forward to."

Tomorrow's clash is a must-win game for relegation-haunted Wigan but there are injury worries over striker Emile Heskey and Lee McCulloch, who picked up knocks at Reading.

Jewell is ready to pitch Aghahowa straight in, saying: "It looks as if Julius will be starting with the injury situation as it is.

"It's been the winter break in the Ukraine so he won't be fully match-fit but he has plenty of pace and I'm sure he'll adapt quickly."

Fitz Hall and David Cotterill return to the squad and there is an outside chance of Henri Camara being on the bench.

"We were disappointed to lose at Reading," added Jewell.

"We played very well for half an hour and looked comfortable but we continue to leak silly goals and this is costing us.

"We know we're in a relegation fight but we have to be positive. We know what's expected of us and we're ready for a fight."

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