Wanderers head to Wigan looking for an overdue win over their local rivals to get their play-off push moving again.
The Whites will be seeking a first victory over the Latics for a decade to potentially re-claim a top-six spot.
Steven Schumacher’s men are currently eighth in the League One table – two points behind sixth-placed Reading ahead of a full mid-week fixture programme.
Wigan, who won the reverse fixture 2-0 in mid-December, are currently 18th in the table – eight points clear of the drop zone.
Press Conference
Steven Schumacher: “There's a lot at stake. We understand that we need to get back on track. We need to get some points on the board because the last few results have gone against us and we don't want to fall out of that play-off hunt.
"It's so important for us from that perspective, as it's important for Wigan. They need points as well to get themselves away from the relegation zone.
“Also, it's a huge rivalry and a massive derby game, so it's a big game and we're looking forward to it. It would be great (to win it). History is history, it's gone. We have to focus on this game, see if we can get the bragging rights and most importantly get the points that we want.”
Wigan boss Ryan Lowe: “I’m looking forward to it. These are the games that you want to play in. I want them to have fire in their bellies but cool heads too, because you’re on that pitch and you have to make sure things are right.
“It’s going to be two clubs going head-to-head, wanting to get the bragging rights, and that’s what we want. Our focus will be on trying to get maximum points. It’s a big rivalry. We just have to take care of our own business. We’ll respect them for what they are, it’s a local derby, and we’ve got to make sure we worry about us.”
Team News
Wanderers will be without midfielder Aaron Morley due to a one-match ban. Morley, who has started all bar one of Steven Schumacher’s league games in charge, was sent off in the final minute of Saturday’s loss at Blackpool for preventing an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
On-loan striker Kion Etete made his first appearance since Schumacher’s first fixture as boss at the start of February as a late substitute at Bloomfield Road after recovering from injury. Midfielder Kyle Dempsey and Ricardo Almeida Santos are also on the way back and could feature soon, although defender Eoin Toal remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Wigan are still missing midfielder Luke Chambers but are likely to include ex-Whites Will Aimson and Ronan Darcy.
Form Guide
Wanderers have lost their least three league matches after taking 16 points from their previous six games under Schumacher. The Whites are seeking a first win at Wigan since a Premier League victory in October, 2011.
Wigan are looking for a first win since the appointment of Ryan Lowe as manager. The Latics have lost one and drawn under the former Preston and Plymouth boss.
Wigan have won two and lost two of their last eight games and have secured six League One wins at the Brick Community Stadium this season.
Kick-Off
Tuesday 7:45pm
Referee
Farai Hallam will take charge of this one. This will be the first time that Hallam has officiated Wanderers.
Tickets/Wanderers TV
Wanderers will be backed by yet another sold-out away crowd of over 4,200. Supporter information and advice for the trip to the Brick Community Stadium is available HERE
For those without a ticket, audio passes will be available, as always, for UK-based supporters to listen to full commentary with Derek Clark and John McGinlay via Wanderers TV. Those based internationally can stream the game through a live video match pass on Wanderers TV.
Click HERE to purchase a pass.