Wigan Athletic boss on Cardiff threat and Anthony Pilkington 'challenge'

But he also reckons it’s a ‘good game’ for his side as they bid to close the four-point gap to fourth-bottom Stoke.

“Cardiff are a very good, very strong team, and it’s a difficult game,” Cook said.

“They won 3-0 at Huddersfield in midweek, and you only need to look at the calibre of player they carry.

"But it’s also a good game for us, it’s no different to Leeds last week.

“Whoever you’re playing, you need to go there and believe you’re going to win.

“Charlton have done that this week...no-one would have given them a chance of winning at Forest.”

Anthony Pilkington is hoping to face his old club, having featured for the first time since Boxing Day in midweek against Middlesbrough.

“Anthony’s biggest problem has been lack of training activity and being fit for repetitive games,” added Cook.

“I think that’s been a problem for him latterly in his career.

"The last couple of weeks, or even the last month or so, he’s been fit to play.

“Everyone at the club knows how good Anthony is.

"It’s only ever been ‘can we keep him on the pitch for a period of time’.

"That's the challenge for us."