Catt ready for nap
Stand-in skipper Lee Cattermole hopes Latics' extended break from action can see them firing on all cylinders against Everton next week.
They aren't in action until Monday night when David Moyes brings the Toffees to the JJB Stadium for a televised clash.
With a number of players away on international duty this week, the Everton game being put back two days is very welcome.
Cattermole, who captained the side at Newcastle on Saturday in the absence of Mario Melchiot and Emile Heskey, isn't one of those playing for his country this week.
While England Under-21s are playing the Czech Republic in Sheffield tonight, the midfielder is among a number of regulars being rested by Stuart Pearce.
Cattermole told the Evening Post: "I think 10 of the lads who usually play have been given a break for this one, the coach is giving other lads a game.
Win Latics v Everton tickets
"It's good to have a rest this week, we've got a couple of days off with the Everton game not being until Monday.
"This is a chance to recharge the batteries. I've played a lot of football this season and sometimes you need a break.
"I've already played the same amount of games for Wigan this season than I did for Middlesbrough in the whole of last season.
"The Premier League is tough going and a quick rest is always welcome."
Cattermole became the youngest player to wear the Latics armband on Saturday, taking that honour from Leighton Baines, who was 21 when he captained them.
But the weekend wasn't to end in the way the 20-year-old would had wanted, having been issued with an 80 fixed penalty notice by police for a public order matter outside a Stockton-on-Tees nightclub in the early hours of Sunday.
Latics are aware of the incident and say they will deal with the matter internally after speaking with the player.
Cattermole had been given permission by the club to stay in the North East after the Newcastle game and didn't break any curfew rules.
Meanwhile, Latics have confirmed that Emmerson Boyce will be suspended for the Everton game after his red card at Newcastle.
There was speculation that the ban could be overturned if referee Andre Marriner admitted he was mistaken to send the defender off – there's no right of appeal for the player if the dismissal is for two bookings.
But while Marriner has conceded he dropped a clanger in showing the second yellow for what was a clean challenge on Shola Ameobi, the suspension stands.
Latics boss Steve Bruce said: "I would like to thank Mr Marriner for taking the time to look at Saturday's decision and I admire him for admitting that he made an error. But what good does it do us?
"We had to play the last 35 minutes with 10 men and now Boycey will also have to miss the Everton game.
"The rules are ridiculous. Referees have a really difficult job and it's far too often that we are talking about them after games.
"In the time that it took for Boyce to be sent-off, a fourth official or someone in the stands could have watched the replay from different angles and a judgment made from there and relayed to the referee.
"I don't believe this takes any authority away from the referee – on the contrary it empowers him to be confident that the correct decision has been made.
"Obviously I am only talking about major decisions – penalties, balls crossing the goal-line and sending-offs.
"The biggest problem and what I find most frustrating is that we have no right to appeal."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wigan
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -5 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South east
