Skipper may return
SO SOLID: Arjan de Zeeuw gets to grips with Louis Saha – he will play against Manchester United reserves tonight
By Dave Seddon
Skipper Arjan de Zeeuw plays his first game for two months tonight ahead of a likely return to the Latics defence against Fulham.
The centre-half lines-up for Wigan Reserves against Manchester United at the Robin Park Arena (7.30pm) as he bids for fitness after a metatarsal injury.
If he comes through unscathed, de Zeeuw will be at the front of queue to replace injured Emmerson Boyce when Fulham visit the JJB Stadium in 12 days' time.
Boyce broke two ribs in the 1-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday and has been ruled out of action for six weeks, effectively ending his season.
It will mean manager Paul Jewell having to make two changes to the defence for the clash with the Cottagers, as left-back Leighton Baines is sidelined with a one-match suspension.
As well as de Zeeuw, Andreas Granqvist and David Unsworth could replace Boyce in the heart of the defence. But Unsworth is Baines' probable replacement, while Granqvist might be considered too much of a risk after just one start so far during his loan spell from Swedish side Helsingborgs.
De Zeeuw has played just six games in the last four months, the last of those against
Blackburn on New Year's Day.
A badly swollen toe was the start of his injury problems, and Jewell restricted the Dutchman's appearances in an effort to clear it up.
But the injury was later diagnosed as a damaged metatarsal bone and 36-year-old de Zeeuw was forced to rest totally to allow a full recovery.
De Zeeuw will partner Granqvist in a strong line-up against United, a game being broadcast live by MUTV.
Unsworth is also set to feature after playing the last 13 minutes at City in place of Boyce, while Julius Aghahowa and Andreas Johansson is the likely partnership up front.
Boyce, who was the only remaining ever-present in the Latics team, broke his ribs in a penalty box challenge with Richard Dunne.
Signed from Crystal Palace last summer to replace Pascal Chimbonda at right-back, Boyce's most effective displays have come in the centre of defence.
Jewell isn't ruling out the possibility of him playing again this season, but accepts his absence is a big blow.
He said: "It's a shame for Boycey who has been magnificent this season.
"But he's the sort of lad who will come back at the earliest possible opportunity. I'm confident of that.
"It now gives somebody else a chance, that's the nature of football and is why you need to carry a good squad."
Matt Jackson, who has partnered Boyce in the middle for the past month as Latics' fortunes took an upturn, said: "Boycey has looked as calm and efficient in the middle as he did at right-back.
"He has been one of the real successes of the this season.
"He's the sort of player who puts his body on the line time and again, and you could see that on Saturday at City.
"Even after suffering the injury and feeling a lot of pain, he carried on until it was absolutely impossible to do any more."
Latics are without a game on Saturday as no Premiership fixtures have been scheduled due to FA Cup quarter-finals. And there is another blank weekend following the Fulham game due to international matches, before March ends with a trip to Charlton.
http://www.wigantoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2098688&SectionID=2346
SO SOLID: Arjan de Zeeuw gets to grips with Louis Saha – he will play against Manchester United reserves tonight
By Dave Seddon
Skipper Arjan de Zeeuw plays his first game for two months tonight ahead of a likely return to the Latics defence against Fulham.
The centre-half lines-up for Wigan Reserves against Manchester United at the Robin Park Arena (7.30pm) as he bids for fitness after a metatarsal injury.
If he comes through unscathed, de Zeeuw will be at the front of queue to replace injured Emmerson Boyce when Fulham visit the JJB Stadium in 12 days' time.
Boyce broke two ribs in the 1-0 win at Manchester City on Saturday and has been ruled out of action for six weeks, effectively ending his season.
It will mean manager Paul Jewell having to make two changes to the defence for the clash with the Cottagers, as left-back Leighton Baines is sidelined with a one-match suspension.
As well as de Zeeuw, Andreas Granqvist and David Unsworth could replace Boyce in the heart of the defence. But Unsworth is Baines' probable replacement, while Granqvist might be considered too much of a risk after just one start so far during his loan spell from Swedish side Helsingborgs.
De Zeeuw has played just six games in the last four months, the last of those against
Blackburn on New Year's Day.
A badly swollen toe was the start of his injury problems, and Jewell restricted the Dutchman's appearances in an effort to clear it up.
But the injury was later diagnosed as a damaged metatarsal bone and 36-year-old de Zeeuw was forced to rest totally to allow a full recovery.
De Zeeuw will partner Granqvist in a strong line-up against United, a game being broadcast live by MUTV.
Unsworth is also set to feature after playing the last 13 minutes at City in place of Boyce, while Julius Aghahowa and Andreas Johansson is the likely partnership up front.
Boyce, who was the only remaining ever-present in the Latics team, broke his ribs in a penalty box challenge with Richard Dunne.
Signed from Crystal Palace last summer to replace Pascal Chimbonda at right-back, Boyce's most effective displays have come in the centre of defence.
Jewell isn't ruling out the possibility of him playing again this season, but accepts his absence is a big blow.
He said: "It's a shame for Boycey who has been magnificent this season.
"But he's the sort of lad who will come back at the earliest possible opportunity. I'm confident of that.
"It now gives somebody else a chance, that's the nature of football and is why you need to carry a good squad."
Matt Jackson, who has partnered Boyce in the middle for the past month as Latics' fortunes took an upturn, said: "Boycey has looked as calm and efficient in the middle as he did at right-back.
"He has been one of the real successes of the this season.
"He's the sort of player who puts his body on the line time and again, and you could see that on Saturday at City.
"Even after suffering the injury and feeling a lot of pain, he carried on until it was absolutely impossible to do any more."
Latics are without a game on Saturday as no Premiership fixtures have been scheduled due to FA Cup quarter-finals. And there is another blank weekend following the Fulham game due to international matches, before March ends with a trip to Charlton.
http://www.wigantoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2098688&SectionID=2346
