Team news

Duo likely to miss out for Wigan Wigan manager Roberto Martinez is likely to be without Hendry Thomas and Marcelo Moreno for the visit of Hull to the DW Stadium.

Thomas has missed the last four matches with a quad injury and the midfielder is yet to resume full training.

Striker Moreno came off in the first half with a calf problem against West Ham last weekend and is now nursing his hamstring.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insists staying in the Barclays Premier League has to be the club's goal again next season.

Whelan, 73, believes they do not have the resources to be pushing for a place that would propel them among the continent's finest.

He told Press Association Sport: "We are Wigan Athletic and when we set off at the start of the season all we are looking for is survival.

"It is no use thinking we can get into Europe. We can have ambition and that's finishing in the top half of the league.

"That's what Roberto is intent on doing in this coming season. But if we survive, it's success." It has been a mixed debut season for Spanish coach Martinez, who arrived in the summer from Swansea.

His side have enjoyed home victories against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal - with Charles N'Zogbia scoring a late winner - but shipped nine goals at Tottenham.

Whelan, who has seen the club spectacularly climb the pyramid from the backwaters of non-league football to the top flight appears to have lost none of his enthusiasm despite a roller-coaster ride.

He said: "When I came in and where we are now you cannot comprehend. Wigan were playing non-league football 25 years ago. I was a member of the board when they were in the Lancashire Combination.

"To play Arsenal here and beat them was the finest moment of my life. When that winning goal went in I have never felt anything so good. Everything we have done for that one moment in time was worth it." Hull striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink could return to the side.

The Dutchman, who was knocked unconscious in the 2-0 defeat by Aston Vila last week, was due to return to training on Saturday.

Vennegoor of Hesselink may come in as a straight swap for Jozy Altidore, whose three-match suspension following his red card against Sunderland last weekend takes him to the end of his loan spell, but youngster Mark Cullen is also in contention.

Dean Marney has recovered from illness but Kamil Zayatte, Ian Ashbee, Richard Garcia (all knee) and Stephen Hunt (foot) are all out for the season.

Iain Dowie has called for a positive response to adversity from his Hull players.

The Tigers were all but relegated from the Barclays Premier League last weekend following a 1-0 defeat by Sunderland and the club have already begun preparing for Coca-Cola Championship football next season.

But, with games against Wigan and Liverpool to come, Dowie wants his side to finish the season with as many points as possible. And a first away win of the season would be the perfect riposte.

Dowie said: "I've made a point of saying to the players it's very much about playing for professional pride now, about making sure the integrity of what the club's about is shown in very clear and stark terms at Wigan.

Wigan vs Hull

Last modified 17:22 03/05/10

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It was a case of Agony and Ivory as Hull were officially sent down to the Championship by Steve Gohouri - a player with one eye on the World Cup.

Centre-half Gohouri must have impressed watching Ivory Coast chief Sven Goran Eriksson with his overall display and showed a hidden side to his game with the acrobatic injury-time equaliser.

Gohouri's glory could mean a trip to South Africa next month, but it definitely guaranteed Iain Dowie's team are doomed and denied a final weekend of hope - even if it would have needed a 21-goal swing to catch West Ham.

Hull were a couple of minutes from their first away win of the campaign, with youngsters Will Atkinson and Mark Cullen pointing the way ahead with goals that suggest a brighter future than imagined.

Dowie said: "It's a gut-wrenching way to lose [our status]. It's heart-breaking but I am very proud of the display - we had three teenagers in the team and plenty of spirit.

"The fans have seen a lot of hope. There were lots of positives. But it's an unforgiving league."

Dowie is hoping he has done enough to keep the job, despite clocking up a personal hat-trick of relegations. He said: "I think I have generated a good feeling about the place. I like this group of lads, it fits me well, but it's not about me."

Hull brought a huge support and they sang 'Don't want to go home, this is the best trip we've ever been on' in an adaptation of the tune belted out by former boss Phil Brown a year ago.

Atkinson would have fired them ahead but for a flying save from Vladimir Stojkovic. Wigan old boy Kevin Kilbane shaved the post, too, as optimism reared its head after a long lay-off.

Wigan played some pretty stuff, with Jordi Gomez and Hugo Rodallega going close. But Hull were more resolute than usual at the back - with Steven Mouyokolo impressing the scouts.

But there was nothing anyone could do to stop Moses' wonderful opener. The kid from Crystal Palace cut inside and curled a perfect shot in off the far post for his first Wigan goal.

Moses should have had a quick second when he fresh-aired a shot after Gohouri headed a simple chance into his path, but Hull grabbed a controversial equaliser.

Atkinson headed in Kilbane's cross and linesman Trevor Massey flagged for offside, but referee Phil Dowd over-ruled him because the decision was against Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who was not interfering with play.

Ironically it was the first time this season that the Dutch striker's lack of movement has played a positive part in a goal. The Hull chorus was 'we only want ten more.'

Wigan regained control and Rodallega fired a couple of shots off target, but their slack finishing cost them when Tigers teenager Cullen memorably grabbed his first senior goal.

The Geordie, just turned 18, popped up to head in a fine cross from veteran George Boateng to give Hull the lead. He could even have snatched a third late on and will get and take more chances in the Championship on this showing.

Wigan's extrovert Austrian Paul Scharner came on for the last time at home, sporting a 'thanx' message in blue ink on a white patch on the back of his head in a typically wacky gesture.

And Scharner dramatically set up the second goal with a towering far-post header from Gary Caldwell's deep cross that let Gohouri show his finishing skills.

Sadly, hundreds of Wigan fans came on to celebrate, forcing referee Dowd to halt the match - with some players going to the dressing room before the action re-started. The FA are likely to punish them for the invasion.

Boss Roberto Martinez said: "We were to blame for the two goals we lost, it's an area we have got to improve next season. It was one of those performances that leave you with mixed feelings."

Stojkovic had an awkward day - mocked by his own fans at times - and now faces Chelsea in the title showdown.

But Martinez is backing him and said: "He is going to the World Cup, he has played in four top leagues, he has a different style of goalkeeping."