Wigan Athletic vs Nottingham Forest - Wigan have doubts over MacDonald and Jacobs

Posted Friday, February 24, 2017 by PA

Struggling Wigan are likely to be without both Shaun MacDonald and Michael Jacobs against Nottingham Forest.

Midfielder MacDonald missed the midweek loss to QPR with what his manager Warren Joyce termed "a niggle", having come off against Preston three days earlier following a robust challenge.

Joyce does not expect either the Welshman or winger Jacobs (hamstring) to be ready to return as Latics look to move out of the bottom three.

The likes of Nick Powell (hamstring) Jakob Haugaard (elbow) and Craig Morgan (toe) remain absent.

Forest defenders Jack Hobbs (foot), Matt Mills (groin) and Michael Mancienne (hamstring) will undergo fitness tests, having all been absent for recent games.

Chris Cohen and Armand Traore are both fit and available after coming through an Under-23 game against Hull on Monday.

Hildeberto Pereira suffered a shoulder injury in that match. The winger, on loan from Benfica, required oxygen as he struggled off the pitch but the problem is not as bad as initially feared and, while he will be absent on Saturday, he should not be out for too long.

Defender Damien Perquis has been sidelined with a minor injury and is pencilled in to play for the Under-23 side on Friday evening as he regains his match sharpness.