Wigan Athletic v Accrington Stanley: Early team news

Kal Naismith has failed to recover from the problem that caused his substitution on the hour mark at Sunderland last week.

And Matty Palmer and Gavin Massey - who both missed the trip to the Stadium of Light - haven't recovered from 'complex' injuries of their own.

"Sadly Kal won't be available, he's injured and won't make it," reported acting manager Leam Richardson.

"That goes for Gavin and Matty, they won't be featuring either, they're a bit complex as well.

"At the moment it's one step forward, two steps back as far as injuries are concerned.

"We've picked up a few more this week as well, so we are literally down to our last 16/17 bodies.

"That said, we won't make an excuse about it, all it means is there's an opportunity for players to come in and show what they can do.

"Yes we're coming up against a team that's unbeaten in eight and flying at the other end of the table.

"But whoever we put out there on the pitch will be doing everything they can to match the opposition, and it's up to us the management to instill a belief in them how to do that."

On the plus side, Darnell Johnson and Will Keane returned to training on Thursday, but it would be a major surprise to see them included at the weekend.

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