Last Updated: Fri, 08 Feb 2013 03:26
Antolin Alcaraz is closing in on a return to full fitness but Wigan's game against Chelsea this weekend will come too soon.
The defender has been on the sidelines since August after picking up a serious groin injury but boss Roberto Martinez says he should be back for next week's FA Cup clash against either Huddersfield or Leicester.
Martinez does not want to rush him back too quickly though and that means he will resist the temptation to put him in against the European Champions even though they are struggling for numbers at the back.
"Antolin has been working really hard behind the scenes and is nearly there, although he won't be okay for the weekend," he told the Evening Post.
"But I wouldn't be surprised if he is very close to make the FA Cup game (at either Leicester or Huddersfield) the following week. He has been out for a long time but slowly he is adapting back to full training with the group.
"We're hoping there won't be a reaction, and he would be a massive boost for us to have him back."
Elsewhere, Emmerson Boyce is suffering with a hamstring strain and is doubtful, while Gary Caldwell pulled out of Scotland's friendly against Estonia through injury and will have to be assessed ahead of the Chelsea clash.
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