Wigan Athletic boss reveals midfielder injury caused rethink

The summer signing from Arsenal was a surprise absentee from the starting XI when the team sheets were handed in at 2pm.

It was one of four changes, with Liam Morrison also left out of the squad, and Sean Clare and Callum Lang dropping to the bench.

In came Kell Watts, Steven Sessegnon, Scott Smith and Stephen Humphrys for the clash against the league leaders, who ran out 2-1 winners.

And the Latics boss explained the decision making after the game.

"Matt Smith was injured, that's why he didn't play," he said.

"He wasn't on form, he's been struggling with an abdomen injury, which he's had for two or three weeks.

"If you really watched his performance, it had started to drop slightly, so I had to make that decision.

"He was injury based, but the others were more football decisions."