An inspired substitution by Wigan boss Roberto Martinez gave his struggling Latics side three vital EPL points as Victor Moses grabbed a second-half winner against West Bromwich Albion last Saturday.

The win, coming three days after an impressive home draw with Liverpool, meant Athletic leapfrogged Birmingham City to move up to the much-coveted 17^th spot in the EPL table.

Indeed, the Latics are only five points behind fifth placed Bolton, as the teams behind the EPL’s ‘big four’ bunch up dramatically.

 

The points will, however, come in very handy, as Martinez’s men face the short but daunting trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United this Saturday.

Wigan picked up four points out of a possible six against the Reds and the Baggies.

Hugo Rodallega’s left-foot drive earned them a share of the spoils against Liverpool after they had conceded an early goal to the returning-to-form Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

And the 19-year-old Victor Moses coolly finished off some excellent approach play from star turn Charles N’Zogbia to overcome West Brom.

The victory came at a cost, however, as captain Gary Caldwell had to limp off with a thigh injury.

Martinez told the Latics web-site on Wednesday: “I knew the injury to Gary was a worry because Gary will only ever leave the pitch if it’s for something serious.

“It’s a tear in his quadriceps, which could rule him out for 4-6 weeks. Hopefully, though, it will just be a small tear. We will find out over the next week.”