Team news

Edman set for Latics comeback Swedish full-back Erik Edman could return to the Wigan side against Fulham at the DW Stadium on Sunday.

Edman has returned to training after a bout of concussion and is in line to make his comeback.

Wigan are aiming to get back on track after losing to Portsmouth but will again be without Maynor Figueroa, who has a knee injury.

Wigan's form has been topsy-turvy and they lost heavily last weekend.

Now Martinez want his side to get back on track at home.

He said: "It is important we learn our lessons after all the things we did wrong. The feeling in the camp is that everyone is desperate to get out and perform against a very good Fulham side.

"I believe we can get stronger. We've had fantastic high points and a few low points. But it is normal because we have had a big turnaround of players.

We are working together and sometimes you get that lack of understanding when things are new. But inconsistency is something we need to eradicate." Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is likely to be without key duo Andrew Johnson and Danny Murphy.

Johnson (shoulder) and captain Murphy (knee) both missed Thursday's Europa League defeat against Roma which could mean a start for Bobby Zamora in attack.

Dickson Etuhu could start after recovering from a knee injury while Damien Duff will be given a fitness test to see if he has overcome an Achilles injury.

Hodgson believes Martinez's men will prove difficult to break down this weekend.

"They are a good team and I think Steve Bruce did a good job in organising them there. He left a good legacy and Roberto Martinez has continued the good work," Hodgson said.

Wigan 1-1 Fulham

Last modified 10:13 09/11/09

The crowd may have been the smallest in the Premier League this season and the excitement in the big-time was undoubtedly somewhere else yesterday.

But those who stayed at home missed a little treat, a match for the purist that brimmed with clever and attacking intent - and featured keeper Mark Schwarzer turning back the years.

The fact that both Wigan and Fulham stay tucked snugly in mid-table obscurity also adds to the feeling that this was one of those fixtures that comes and goes without leaving a trace.

However that does not tell the story at all as Roberto Martinez's men swarmed around and were met by Roy Hodgson's feisty Fulham who showed no signs of a Euro hangover but needed veteran Schwarzer to emphasise the point.

Wigan were left wondering why they had only scored once, Emmerson Boyce maintaining his nerve and balance to poke home Paul Scharner's downward header in the 13th minute.

The answer was simple and came in the tall and agile shape of Schwarzer. He may have turned 37 but he looked sharp and trim as he kept the lively Latics at bay.

Schwarzer's super show began as Wigan chased a quick second, tipping Charles N'Zogbia's cracking dipper into the bar as Fulham clung on in the face of an onslaught.

Hugo Rodallega played a glorious one-two with Jason Scotland and made the big Aussie save again. The classy Colombian and the inspired Scharner also went close.

Some of Wigan's build-up play was delightful, but Fulham were a threat too. They could have been in front when Bobby Zamora flighted a lovely ball to Erik Nevland. The Norwegian's header beyond Chris Kirkland was equally deft but came back off the post.

Nevland glanced a header just over before Mario Melchiot's rash tackle gave them a penalty. The Latics skipper lunged in on Clint Dempsey as he tried to turn in a free kick.

The American was grateful of the foul because he was struggling to control the ball at the time. However referee Phil Dowd's decision was right and Fulham were level as Dempsey picked himself up to send Kirkland the wrong way.

Dempsey came close to giving Fulham the lead when his vicious free kick had Kirkland scrambling, with the big keeper doing superbly to block Jonathan Greening putting in the rebound.

Scharner tested Schwarzer who did even better to deny Hendry Thomas's header, while the dangerous Rodallega popped up all over the front line and had a fair shout for a penalty when his blockbuster hit Chris Baird on the arm.

Even when the excellent Schwarzer failed to stop an N'Zogbia shot after a memorable dribble Fulham survived - Brede Hangeland beating Scotland to hack off the line. He saved once more from Scharner to hold on for the draw.

Fulham could have stolen the points late on when Kirkland denied Damien Duff and Hangeland put a towering header inches past.

The Londoners are a resolute side and are coping admirably with the extra demands of the season.

Hodgson was delighted and said: "I am very pleased with a point after the week we have had. We had the excitement and pressure of beating Liverpool and the grave disappointment in Rome.

"Wigan are a good team and we were 1-0 down early, the team has shown a lot of character and a lot of determination and we have to be happy with a draw.

"It was a 3-3 rather than a 1-1, I wouldn't be happy with a 3-3 as a coach but maybe the people watching would have been. Mark Schwarzer pulled off some spectacular saves."

Martinez said: "I was pleased with the performance but not the point. Schwarzer's performance was the difference between a win and a draw."

The main consolation for Wigan was the display of maturing midfielder Mohamed Diame, the latest obscure discovery who could net owner Dave Whelan a fortune.

Diame joined from Spanish Second Division side Rayo Vallecano and only passed a medical after a heart scare. He looks in rude health now and the Latics chief is overjoyed with him.

Martinez said: "He is still adapting but he is very composed on the ball and covers the ground really well. He is going to get better, but at the moment he is still a joy to watch."