Jump for Joyce

Warren Joyce remains the heavy-favourite to succeed Gary Caldwell, with further discussions planned over the weekend.

Chairman David Sharpe, who axed Caldwell on Tuesday, has been sifting through prospective candidates.

Joyce has emerged as the front-runner, with bookmakers Skybet last night pricing him at a slim 1/8 to get the role.

The ex-Bolton player, 51, started his coaching career at Hull City and took charge of Belgium side Royal Antwerp a decade ago.

He has been at Old Trafford since 2008. Reports he was at Wigan for talks yesterday were wide of the mark – he was taking charge of Manchester United’s reserves at Tottenham Hotspur. But he could be in the stands today to watch Latics.

Assistant manager Graham Barrow, development squad manager Peter Atherton and coach Joe Parkinson will assume joint-control of the side today.

They oversaw training yesterday and have picked the line-up for the game in the Welsh capital.

Max Power misses out due to suspension after five yellow cards, and on-loan striker Adam Le Fondre is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Latics are 23rd the Championship after 14 games played but could claw their way out of the bottom-three with victory, if Derby County lose and Blackburn don’t win.