Wigan To Field Reserve XI In Carling Cup Clash

By Matt Jones
November 30 2005

Sky Sports - 7:45pm KO. Wigan vs Newcastle United - Carling Cup, Round 4. Micheal Owen is still out of action for the Toon, as is Titus Bramble. Meanwhile, Wigan are set to field a weakened side, as they concentrate on building on their fantastic start to the leauge season.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell confirmed:

"As far as this season goes all we are concerned about is staying up. So yes, I’ll be making plenty of changes.

“That could work in our favour. After two defeats, the guys who have been on the fringe of selection should feel this is an opportunity for them to push their claims for regular football.

“I’m sure Graeme Souness has targeted this as a possible passport to European competition and I expect them to put out a strong side.

“So this tie will tell us a lot about how much strength in depth we have in the squad.

“We are taking the game seriously but it won’t get in the way of the league.

“Some of the team will be full internationals and people with a lot of first-team games behind them. It’s not as if I’m playing the kids so I don’t think I’m showing the competition any disrespect.

“More importantly, I have to show respect to my players because some of them need a rest.

“We have a lot of hard games coming up. We go to Liverpool on Saturday, then Chelsea — and in midweek it’s Manchester United followed a couple of days later by Charlton.”

Subject to availability, Newcastle fans will be able to purchase tickets on the gates.