Gibson ready for Wigan Athletic return

Darron Gibson says he's ready, willing and able to step back into the fold as wounded Wigan Athletic aim to get back on the horse against Hull City.
Darron GibsonDarron Gibson
Darron Gibson

Gibson returned from a month on the sidelines at Brentford on Saturday, playing the last half-hour after coming on for James Vaughan in the reshuffle following skipper Sam Morsy’s red card.

The ex-Ireland international midfielder picked up a hamstring problem after impressing on his Latics debut against Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day of the campaign.

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But he says his half-hour run out at Brentford means he is champing at the bit to get back in the starting XI - if required.

“The physios have done a very good job with me, a lot of strengthening work in the gym, and I feel good,” Gibson told the Wigan Post.

“Hopefully I can kick on from here, and play as many games as I can.”

Tonight’s game is the first of two in the space of 72 hours at the DW, with Bristol City next up on Friday night.

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It’s been a crazy return to action following the international fortnight, but Gibson says it’s just the nature of the beast.

“You get used to it after a few years, but it’s a relentless schedule in the Championship,” he said.

“And it’s a positive to have a game on Tuesday, it gives us chance to get Brentford out of the system as quickly as possible.

“We’re disappointed about Saturday, but we can’t judge ourselves on that performance against a side that good.

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“They’ll beat a lot of teams at Griffin Park, and all we can do is turn up on Tuesday and show what we can do.”

The return of Gibson could be one of a few changes for Latics as they look to get back to winning ways.

Striker Will Grigg is set to return up front after being surprisingly left out at the weekend in favour of Vaughan.

Fit-again Michael Jacobs – another unused substitute at Brentford – is also in line for a start, with either Callum Connolly or Josh Windass the most likely to drop out.

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Tonight’s game sees Latics boss Paul Cook locking horns in the technical area with Hull manager Nigel Adkins – a former team-mate during the duo’s Springfield Park playing days.

“Nigel has had a fantastic career and he was always a really nice lad when we played together, a really good fella,” said Cook.

“He’s managing a good club and doing really well. Nigel has steadied the ship and, with his positive outlook on things, he’ll be determined to see them go forward.”