Noel Hunt has described Town’s home clash with lowly Wigan this afternoon as a must-win fixture and believes all the club’s remaining games should be treated the same.

Hunt said: “Right now I think every game is must-win. That’s what you should want, rather than hanging about in mid-table and having nothing to play for with 10 games still to go.

“We’re at the business end and the longer we’re up there, the better chance we have.

“Every game has to be treated with the utmost respect. Wigan are a great side when you look at the players they have. From their keeper to their forwards they have big-name players, Premiership players.

“They are going to click at some point and we’ve just got to make sure that it isn’t on Saturday. The way it’s gone for Wigan this season has taken us all by surprise but there’s still time for them to get out of trouble.”

The Latics have been busy in the January transfer window, with eight players departing, and Malky Mackay’s side could feature several new faces. Leeds defender Jason Pearce, previously a Town target in the days of Paul Jewell’s management, signed on the dotted line yesterday.

Hunt added: “I spoke to Jason the other night and I didn’t quite believe him when he said they were eight points off safety. But it’s true and it means they will be desperate to get something from the game on Saturday.

“When you’re desperate you’ve got to fight and there’s no pressure because you’re the underdog. It gives you a chance to go out and play, try everything and really go for it. We’re expecting a big, big game against them.”

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