Wagner makes seven changes for second game in 48 hours
- David Wagner makes seven changes for Wigan game- Head Coach freshens up lineup for second game in 48 hours
- Joe Lolley returns to the substitutes' bench
Head Coach David Wagner has made seven changes to the starting XI for today’s Sky Bet Championship game at Wigan Athletic; 3pm kick-off at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Wagner has freshened up his side for the second game in just 48 hours, with only goalkeeper Danny Ward, midfielder Aaron Mooy and attackers Elias Kachunga and Nahki Wells keeping their starting berths from the New Year’s Eve game against Blackburn Rovers.
Jack Payne (pictured above) makes his first start since the defeat at Preston North End on 19 October, whilst Mark Hudson returns to captain the side following the hamstring injury he picked up against the Latics on 28 November.
The whole back four has changed, with Hudson playing alongside Jon Gorenc Stanković in the middle and Tareiq Holmes-Dennis and Martin Cranie at full back.
The other two changes see Philip Billing and Harry Bunn start in midfield.
Rajiv van La Parra is out with a knee injury picked up in a challenge with a Blackburn Rovers players two days’ ago, whilst Christopher Schindler – the Town player with the most Championship minutes played so far this season – is rested.
There’s also a welcome return to the bench for Joe Lolley today, completing his return from the foot injury he sustained at Aston Villa back on 16 August.
Town’s team vs Wigan Athletic:
1. Danny Ward
5. Mark Hudson (c)
8. Philip Billing
9. Elias Kachunga
10. Aaron Mooy
11. Harry Bunn
12. Tareiq Holmes-Dennis
14. Martin Cranie
16. Jack Payne
21. Nahki Wells
27. Jon Gorenc Stanković
Substitutes:
Joel Coleman, Tommy Smith, Dean Whitehead, Chris Löwe, Joe Lolley, Michael Hefele, Kasey Palmer
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