Latics v Sunderland Preview

"We've played more good football in the last 45 minutes than for most of last season" said the wise man sat behind me on Wednesday. He had a point, and it's up to Latics to reinforce that point by continuing where they left off in the defeat of Middlesbrough.

Sunderland are tomorrows opponents, managed by the lovable Roy Keane. Roy was a little overweight when he was younger; below is a video of him at the funfair with his auntie Janice. Make sure you turn up the sound so you can hear his sexy Irish brogue.

Tickets are available on the day for home fans.

Michael Brown is available for Latics after serving his suspension but Emmerson Boyce is still out injured.

Sunderland winger Carlos Edwards is out for a month with a hamstring injury, joining Grant Leadbitter (hamstring) on the sidelines.

Stern John is pressing for a start, while Kieron Richardson and Dwight Yorke could also return

Latics (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Granqvist, Kilbane, Valencia, Scharner, Landzaat, Koumas, Heskey, Folan, Sibierski, Hall, Skoko, Aghahowa, Camara, Brown, Pollitt.

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Halford, Wallace, Nosworthy, McShane, Richardson, Etuhu, Whitehead, Edwards, Stokes, Chopra, Ward, Anderson, Collins, Miller, Kay, Yorke, John, Murphy, O'Donovan.

Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)