Haugaard faces '˜several weeks' out of action

The on-loan Stoke man sustained the injury in the first half of Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Fulham after a hefty collision in the Latics penalty area.

He was initially able to continue after receiving lengthy treatment, but failed to reappear for the second half after complaining of feeling unwell .

His replacement, Matt Gilks – who was also signed in the January transfer window – took over for the second period at Craven Cottage, and made his first start for the club on Tuesday night at Wolves.

“It turns out Jakob’s problem is with his elbow, not his head,” boss Warren Joyce told the Post.

“That was from the collision on Saturday, and he felt sick in the dressing room at half-time.

“But we now think it’s more from the damage to his elbow he’s suffered rather than the concussion, to be honest.

“He’s already been scanned, and we don’t exactly know the full extent of the damage – whether it’s a flake or worse.

“But there’s definitely something there...and it will put him out for several weeks.”

Gilks ensured Haugaard – who’d been the undisputed No.1 since his arrival – wasn’t missed at Molineux, pulling off a couple of fine saves during Wigan’s backs-to-the-wall victory.

Veteran Jussi Jaaskelainen provided the back-up on the bench, and the pair will be his options for the foreseeable future while Haugaard recuperates.

Latics haven’t enjoyed the best of fortunes with goalkeepers this term, with Adam Bogdan having already returned to parent club Liverpool after a cruciate ligament injury curtailed his season-long loan.

Youth prospect Dan Lavercombe is on loan at non-league Rhyl for the season.

Meanwhile, Luke Burke has joined non-league Barrow on a month’s loan.

Burke started the campaign in the first team, after a host of injuries to senior players, before slipping down the pecking order.

“Luke will benefit from game-time, and we hope he can get that with Barrow in a competitive environment,” said Latics boss Joyce.