Wigan Athletic vs Watford preview - McClean banned for Latics

Posted Monday, March 16, 2015 by PA

Wigan's top scorer James McClean is suspended as they seek a first home win in seven months against Watford.

The Republic of Ireland international has accrued 10 yellow cards this season and misses the visit of Malky Mackay's old club and the clash with derby rivals Bolton this weekend.

Liverpool forward Jerome Sinclair could make his debut for Latics, though, after the teenager joined on loan for the remainder of the season on Monday.

Leon Clarke (hamstring) will return to swell Mackay's attacking options too but Grant Holt (knee) and Emyr Huws (ankle) will not play again until next season.

Watford will be without midfielder Almen Abdi, who lasted just seven minutes against Reading on Saturday before suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury.

But defender Tommie Hoban returns from suspension and striker Odion Ighalo is expected to be available after a hamstring problem.

Fernando Forestieri replaced Abdi at the weekend and set up two goals before scoring Watford's fourth in a resounding 4-1 win, so he could have earned a start.

Midfielder Sean Murray is still out as he recovers from a knee operation.