Zaki's back and gunning for Wenger boys
Steve Bruce will be able to choose from a fully-fit squad when Latics face Arsenal.
The treatment room has cleared in recent days, giving the Wigan boss a few selection headaches following the back-to-back victories against Everton and West Bromwich Albion.
He'll have to decide whether to stick with a winning side or tinker in a bid to pull off a surprise result at the Emirates Stadium.
Amr Zaki returned to training on Tuesday morning after a three-match absence, Olivier Kapo is back after an operation to repair his broken nose, while Paul Scharner has shaken off a groin injury.
And with Mario Melchiot and Jason Koumas also back in the frame after recent injuries, the squad has a healthy look about it going into the December matches.
Bruce told the Evening Post: "We've everyone fit and training now which is just what we want.
"At Newcastle three weeks ago, we were without four or five players, which really stretched us. We have a pretty sparse squad even when most are fit, so we need to avoid picking up injuries if we can."
Top scorer Zaki hasn't played since Latics' last visit to the
Emirates on November 11, when they bowed out of the Carling Cup to the Gunners' youngsters.
He had been struggling for a number of weeks with a calf strain, and then picked up a hamstring injury in training before the Newcastle game.
In a bid to get him firing on all cylinders again and recapture the form which at one time took him to the top of the Premier League scoring charts, Latics have allowed Zaki a complete rest.
The striker has been back home to Egypt for a short break, but returned to the ice and snow this week to start training.
Whether Bruce decides to throw him straight back into the action this weekend isn't clear, with a seat on the bench a stronger possibility.
He'd certainly find it difficult to drop Henri Camara as the Senegal striker has netted two goals in one-and-a-half games.
And it's unlikely the Latics boss would leave out talisman Emile Heskey to accommodate Zaki's return either.
Meanwhile, Bruce has been running the rule over a couple of trialists in training this week ahead of the transfer window.
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
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