SUNDERLAND captain Dean Whitehead was a notable absentee from the starting line-up at the JJB Stadium today.
Whitehead, who was out of sorts in the 2-2 draw at Birmingham, was unable to make the bench against Wigan after picking up an injury in training on Friday.
But manager Roy Keane, making four changes to Wednesday, has recalled Kieran Richardson, Daryl Murphy, Anthony Stokes and Dwight Yorke.
The Latics, meanwhile, retain the same XI that defeated Middlesbrough in midweek, although Hartlepool-born midfielder Michael Brown is included on the bench for the first time.
WIGAN (4-4-2): Kirkland; Melchiot, Bramble, Granqvist, Kilbane; Valencia, Landzaat, Scharner, Koumas; Sibierski, Heskey. Subs (not used): Pollitt, Hall, Brown, Folan, Aghahowa.
SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Gordon; Halford, Nosworthy, McShane, Richardson; Stokes, Etuhu, Yorke, Wallace; Murphy, Chopra. Subs (not used): Collins, Anderson, Miller, John, Connolly.
Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds)
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