Striker Shefki Kuqi has passed his fitness test and has travelled to Wigan with the rest of Town's 16-man squad. The Finnish international returned to training yesterday after a three-week absence due to a deep gash on his leg.

The Blues had put Academy striker Billy Clarke on standby, a call-up which would have been the Irishman's first at senior level. TWTD predicted back in September that 17-year-old Clarke would come into Joe Royle's plans before the end of the season.

Royle still has to decide whether to throw Kuqi straight into his starting line-up or use him from the bench. The Town manager said earlier in the week that although fit, Kuqi was lacking football after his spell on the sidelines.

Squad: Bent, Bowditch, Couñago, Currie, Davis, Horlock, Karbassiyoon, Kuqi, Magilton, Miller, Naylor, Price, Richards, Unsworth, Westlake and Wilnis.

Photo: Action Images

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