Team news

Wigan preview
Wigan could be without captain Mario Melchiot for the visit of Everton in the Barclays Premier League.

Melchiot had to come off with a neck problem in the Latics' 2-1 defeat at Blackburn on Wednesday and faces a late fitness test.

Chris Kirkland is still recovering from the collarbone injury that he sustained in training last week, so Serbian loanee Vladimir Stojkovic is likely to continue in goal.

Fellow goalkeeper Richard Kingson is still at the African Nations Cup with Ghana, but otherwise, Roberto Martinez has a full squad to choose from.

Boss Roberto Martinez feels it was "only a matter of time" before Everton hit top gear and put their early-season difficulties behind them.

The Toffees travel to the DW Stadium unbeaten in eight Barclays Premier League games, a run that has seen them surge up the table to ninth place and brought about renewed hopes of a challenge for Europe.

It has been some turnaround for David Moyes' side, who were hampered by a string of injuries at the start of the campaign and found themselves only two places and three points above the relegation zone in November after a 2-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby.

Their dramatic improvement since then has come as no surprise to Martinez and the Spaniard admits his team will have a tough task tomorrow to halt Everton's momentum.

"I think from Everton's point of view, the surprise was that they couldn't hit that sort of good form," Martinez said.

"You look at the squad and players that they have got and they have good experience, have been working together for a long time and they are an exciting group of players, so I think it was only a matter of time before they hit that form.

"Probably they are coming here to the DW at the wrong time (for us) as they are in the middle of a very good run.

"But when we play at home we feel that we can beat anyone and compete against anyone, and that's going to be the case on Saturday."

Everton preview
Everton could be without midfielder Mikel Arteta.

The Spanish star has picked up a groin strain in training, having only just returned from almost a year out with knee damage. He has made two appearances as a substitute since his comeback.

Tony Hibbert and Jack Rodwell are still out with long-term injuries, while Ayegbeni Yakubu and Joseph Yobo are not due back from the African Nations Cup until next week.

Everton look to be back on track for a crack at qualification for Europe, standing nine points behind fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

Moyes said: "This is really what I had hoped for when the season started, having finished fifth last term and got to the FA Cup final.

"There have been obvious reasons why we did not start the season so well, but I don't want to use injuries as an excuse because everybody has them.

"But when you are without as many players as we have been over the months, it is bound to affect your performances.

"I never had any doubt that I had a squad good enough to get us out of the trouble we were in before Christmas, but I did doubt that the players I was having to use week after week because I had no options, would be able to handle it. They were magnificent for me and they were on their knees at one stage having played so many games.

Wigan vs Everton

Last modified 20:48 30/01/10

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Tim Cahill again proved he is the man Everton can rely on as he conjured a winner to keep David Moyes’ vision of European football a distinct possibility.

The Australian’s tenacious qualities are indicative of the character that Moyes has instilled in his squad during his tenure at Goodison Park.

Ravaged by injury earlier this season, Everton limped through the early months, with a makeshift team.

But there was no moaning and excuses when results failed to go their way. Moyes remained silent and quietly stuck to what was appearing to be an ominous task.

Indeed, when you have a player like Cahill in your ranks, then it lends itself to an air of optimism when situations appear bleak.

For long period yesterday, it looked as if Everton’s resurgence, that had seen them win back-to-back games against Manchester City and Sunderland, would peter out.

But Cahill rose imperiously in the 83rd minutes to thump in a header from Leighton Baines’ corner to garner another precious three points.

Moyes had challenged his side to earn European qualification again this term but they will have to improve on this gutsy though low in quality display.

An air of despondency will linger in the Wigan dressing room after the goal chances they missed.

But the pain of defeat will feel even more acute as Charles N’Zogbia’s rapier shot crashed off the bar in the dying seconds.

Hugo Rodallega and Jason Scotland will wake up this morning knowing that should have converted at least one of the chances they created.

Leon Osman had an early chance but it was the Wigan duo that had the better opportunities.

Scotland played through Rodallega who come in from the left touch line but his meek low shot was easily saved by Tim Howard.

Scotland broke his duck for his new club last week in the FA Cup against last week against Notts County, but he is still waiting to his first at home.

Visibly devoid of confidence, Martinez will need all his man management skills to coax out the goal scoring form that underpinned their time together at Swansea.

His two chances, one from a Rodallega chance that he raced onto a blazed over, and the second after he evaded a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before firing over, were systematic of a man with no confidence.

Louis Saha was always going to fancy his chances of claiming his 100th league goal against a defence that had concede 46 this season.

His deflected shot which rebounded off a post and his flick header from Baines’ inviting cross that was tipped over by Wigan goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, sandwiched the Wigan efforts.

Everton should have a penalty on the half hour when Saha was brought down in area but referee Lee Probert failed to spot the foul.

Moyes must have feared his side’s winning streak would be halted but Cahill supreme aerial ability came to the fore to head Everton to third consecutive win.