By Alan G
April 17 2006

With a fractured collar bone sustained against Newcastle United at the weekend, Arjan de Zeeuw will miss the rest of the season whilst Matt Jackson’s knee strain is likely to rule him out for the visit of Aston Villa.

Stephane Henchoz has recently returned to training after a hamstring problem and may be pressed into service.

Villa are set to start with rookie Craig Gardner in midfield due to Steven Davis' hamstring injury.

Skipper Olof Mellberg is still battling to overcome the hamstring injury which has kept him out for four games.

Paul Jewell:

 

"We have got to pick ourselves up, we can't feel sorry for ourselves.

 

"We are playing Aston Villa and we have got more points than Aston Villa, so don't feel sorry for us.

 

"Yes, we might be all hands to the pumps, but that's what we'll have to do.

 

"Don't feel sorry for us, we have done okay.

 

"Everyone thought we would be fighting a relegation battle and the season would go right to the wire and if we could finish in 17th position, we would have been absolutely elated.

 

"We have done far better than that. We have stayed in the league - we have stayed in the league comfortably.

 

"When a team like ours gets injuries like we have had at Newcastle, it's always difficult, so I'm not going to be critical of my players."

 

Latics (from): Filan, Chimbonda, Henchoz, Camara, Johansson, McCulloch, Kavanagh, Francis, Scharner, Taylor, Teale, Bullard, Ziegler, Baines, Thompson, Roberts, Pollitt.

Villa (from): Sorensen, Hughes, Cahill, Ridgewell, Samuel, Bouma, Milner, Gardner, McCann, Hendrie, Barry, Angel, Phillips, Baros, Moore, Taylor, Whittingham, Agbonlahor, De la Cruz.

Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)