Wigan Athletic boss lifts lid on Charlie Wyke omission and injury fears ahead of Shrewsbury visit

The 30-year-old striker – the Sky Bet League One player of the month for August – was available again after serving a three-match suspension for his red card in the defeat to Portsmouth last month.

However, Maloney opted to go with Stephen Humphrys as the lone striker – supported by Jordan Jones and Martial Godo – with Josh Stones and Josh Magennis on the bench as back-up.

Humphrys' justified his inclusion with the opening goal in Latics' 2-0 victory over second-placed Oxford, with Stones making another sparkling cameo off the bench in the final quarter to see the side home.

"It was a really difficult decision, because Charlie was brilliant for me at the beginning of the season," said Maloney.

"I just had to make a decision, I wanted to show faith in the players who went to Exeter.

"Josh Stones produced a brilliant second half against Fleetwood, and did well at Exeter before Josh Magennis finished the game for us.

"In this instance, there's nothing I can say to Charlie that he could or should have done.

"He's been brilliant for me, and I've no doubt he'll be brilliant for me again.

"I just had to make a big decision, and that was to show faith in the players who did so well for me at Exeter."

Maloney also revealed the reasons behind midfielder Scott Smith's absence from the 18.

"Scott was concussed, from the knock he got in the last couple of minutes at Exeter on Saturday," said the Scot.

"I know there's a certain protocol in place, so I'm not sure whether he'll be in consideration to play on Saturday (against Shrewsbury)."

Liam Shaw stepped in for Smith against Oxford and underlined his own case for more permanent inclusion with a fine display alongside Baba Adeeko.

"He's done very well, big energy, and made a big recovery run in the first half that I loved," added Maloney.

"They're all fighting, and we've also got (James) Balagizi who's a really talented player.

"It's a really frustrating period for him, but we're at a point where if players are playing well, we have to reward them and keep going with them in the team.

"For the ones who aren't, they have to fight, because they know things can and will change quickly.

"Two weeks ago, Josh Stones was playing in the 21s, and now he's having a big impact in the first team.

"Same with Jordan Jones, who's fought so hard to get where he is, and that's what I'm looking for from every single player."

Wyke could come back into consideration for Saturday’s visit of Shrewsbury – Latics’ third of five games in the space of a gruelling 14-day period, which also sees them host Charlton next Tuesday before making a swift return to Exeter in the FA Cup first round next weekend.