Wigan team news

  • by Staff Writer
  • Friday, 15th August 2008

Alan Curbishley has confirmed that Lucas Neill will start at left-back in tomorrow's season-opener against Wigan.

Club captain Neill, who normally features at right-back for United (and at centre-half for Australia) will cover for the injured George McCartney, who has missed the entire pre-season through injury.

"Lucas has played a lot of his career at left back so it's not a problem for him," said Curbishley. "He's been quite comfortable [there] during pre-season."

Meanwhile Calum Davenport is set start alongside Matthew Upson at centre-half due to injuries to Anton Ferdinand, James Tomkins, Jonathan Spector, James Collins and Danny Gabbison.

The former Coventry player thought his career was over earlier in the year when breaking a bone in his neck whilst on loan at Watford.

However following an amazing recovery he is set to feature against the Latics tomorrow.

"Davenport was training near the end of last season and carried on through the summer," added Curbishley. "He's got a point to prove I think.

"He came to us 18 months ago, took an injury like a lot of them did and took a long time to recovery. He's had a good pre-season but knows there's a lot of competition when everyone is fit. He wants to grab it by the scruff of the neck and make the most of it."

Likely starting line-up: Green; Behrami, Neill, Davenport, Upson; Faubert, Etherington, Parker, Noble; Ashton, Cole.

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