Wigan Athletic-Newcastle United Preview

Posted Friday, October 15, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

MICK BRADY STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Andy Carroll is desperate for his chance to show he can hold down a place in Fabio Capello’s England team when Wigan visit Newcastle on Saturday.

Capello left him out of his squad for England’s disappointing Wembley goalless draw with Montenegro because he had been dropped by Newcastle.

Capello said: “He has to play. The last game, he did not.”

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton preferred Shola Ameobi for the trip to Manchester City in the match before Capello chose his squad and Carroll was reduced to a late substitute appearance as City won 2-1.

As Wigan head for St James’ Park, Hughton is not revealing if he will recall exciting striker prospect Carroll, 21, or keep faith in Ameobi.

Hughton’s plans have been complicated by the broken leg sustained by new loan signing Hatem Ben Arfa and may find room for both Ameobi and eager Carroll.

Carroll has redoubled his efforts in Newcastle training this week and is clearly anxious to make up for missing out on a possible England debut.

Hughton said: “It’s a big question and one I have to address. The important thing is to pick a team to win the match and there are no other considerations.

“We are at home on the back of two home defeats and we do not want that to become three.

“I chose Ameobi against Manchester City because I felt he edged it in training but Andy has been working hard in training and has given me a selection problem.”

Wigan winger Charles N’Zogbia returns to his old club still looking for his first Premier League goal of the season. But it is another midfielder, Jordi Gomez who has impressed Wigan manager Roberto Martinez in recent matches.

N’Zogbia and Gomez will start at Newcastle as Wigan seek to improve a dire record of just four goals in their seven league matches.

Gomez got his first in the 2-0 win over Wolves in Wigan’s last time out, but Martinez has seen a marked improvement in the player he brought with him from Championship club Swansea.

Martinez said: “Jordi has not had it easy since he came here. He was just about the best player in the Championship at Swansea but he has had to adapt since coming here.

“But one of his qualities is that he is a stubborn character and the way he played against Wolves was reward for the hard work he has shown in training and in matches this season.

“I am proud of the way he has gone about his business this season and he is a real example to the other players of what can be achieved by a positive attitude and hard work. To score against Wolves and his performance in general was a moral victory for Jordi and he deserved it. Newcastle is a tough place to go but our form is improving and we fear no one.”