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Kapo blow for Latics
Olivier Kapo will miss the start of the season after damaging his knee ligaments.
The French striker picked up the injury in the club's opening pre-season tour match in Austria against Hannover 96 on Monday.
And after being assessed by the club's medical staff, the diagnosis was confirmed last night.
It is a savage blow for Kapo, who was hoping to kickstart his Wigan career under new boss Roberto Martinez, having struggled to find his feet last term following his arrival from Birmingham.
The injury also looks to have scuppered the possibility of a move away from the JJB before the transfer window closes at the end of next month.
"It's actually better news than we first feared," Martinez told the Evening Post.
"We thought he had suffered a rupture but thankfully it's only a strain of the lateral knee ligament.
"Hopefully it's not a long-term injury – it could have been much worse."
Midfielders Charles N'Zogbia and Ben Watson are also nursing knocks picked up in combat this week.
N'Zogbia was taken off during the second half of the 2-0 defeat to Romanian outfit Timisoara after sustaining a side strain, while Watson missed the game with a leg injury.
However, both should be okay for the final match of the trip against Bulgarian side PFC Minyor on Friday.
Despite yesterday's defeat, Martinez believes 'immense signs of progress' are being shown with just over three weeks to go before the big Premier League kick-off at Aston Villa.
Martinez said: "The fact I made eight changes at half-time should tell you how seriously I was taking the outcome.
"We made a couple of basic mistakes for the goals, which was disappointing, but those are things we can work on.
"But overall, I was really pleased by our shape, and considering we are probably only at 75% at the moment and in the middle of a really tough training schedule, I thought our energy levels were good, and in very hot conditions.
"We are not ready to play 11v11 at the moment, but I was very happy with certain positives that came out of the game.
"Our international boys have only just returned to work, and I wouldn't expect anyone to go straight into a match situation and get a positive result.
"Obviously you always want to win, and you get a little bit frustrated when you don't.
"But the game was part of our training programme and gave me the opportunity to find out more about the squad.
"Slowly we need to work towards the players playing 90 minutes, and playing three games in a week is a big test for the boys."
Martinez did take the chance to praise new signing Hendry Thomas, who again put his weight about in central midfield in his second game for the club.
"Hendry can tackle all day, and he obviously has excellent qualities to play in that role," Martinez added.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
