But for keeper Chris Kirkland, it gives him the perfect chance to fully recover from the back injury that has plagued him in the opening weeks of the campaign.

He missed Latics' pre-season friendlies and then had to pull out of the game against Chelsea just 45 minutes before kick-off after the problem flared up during warm-ups.

Kirkland returned to the side last Saturday at Hull, and now has two weeks to try and strengthen the muscles surrounding the nerves to try and end the problem.
"I'm managing it, I've got a chance now to rest it and strengthen it up," he said.

"I've obviously got a problem with it and it's flared up, but it'd be nice to have it sorted so I don't have to talk about it. It feels fine now.

"Rest should hopefully do the trick." Kirkland, who was blighted by injuries earlier in his career, is equally as optimistic about Latics' chances this season.

After three league games, Wigan have just one win but the players were hugely encouraged by their performances in defeats against West Ham and Chelsea before Saturday's 5-0 hammering of Hull.

"In the first two games we felt we played really well, especially against Chelsea, we played well and put up a good fight. If we carry on playing like that we will win more games than we will lose," he said.

"It was good to get the points against Hull. Even when they were three or four down their fans kept behind them and fair credit to them, they're going to pick up some points at home. Teams are going to find it tough going to Hull.

"So the signs are there. We know we can play well and we have to carry on doing what we're doing. It sounds easy, we have to make sure we have to prepare right and you need a bit of luck too. There are good signs.
"All credit to the gaffer and the chairman, we've got a strong squad."