[kennethlindheim]

High-flyers Wigan face a tough challenge if they are to continue their early season form, as they travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle.

Chris Hutchings' side have bounced back from their opening day defeat to Everton, and now lie in third place after victories against Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

Both sides could make late additions to their squads as the transfer window is poised to slam shut, and any late deals will have to be completed swiftly if there are debuts to be made in Saturday's game.

Having already inflicted miserable defeats on two North East Premier League sides, Sam Allardyce will be looking to ensure there is no third scalp for The Latics.

The Magpies have been boosted by the return to the score-sheet of star striker Michael Owen, who, having netted in midweek in the Carling Cup, will be looking to step-up his comeback with a place in the starting line-up.

Allardyce will be without defensive duo Peter Ramage and Stephen Carr, who are both ruled out due to knee and hamstring injuries respectively.

Long-term absentee Damien Duff is still sidelined after ankle surgery, whilst Joey Barton's broken metatarsal will keep him out of action for up to a further month.

Allardyce's defensive head-ache could be soothed if Abdoulaye Faye of Bolton and Marseille's Habib Beye complete their reported deadline day transfers in time to make an appearance.

Wigan's summer signing Antoine Sibierski looks set to miss out against his former club through injury, but fellow former Magpie Titus Bramble is in contention for a St James' Park comeback.

New signings Marcus Bent and Rachid Bouaouzan both trained with The Latics on Friday morning, and the attacking duo are in contention for their debuts.

There could be further additions in the mix for Latics boss Hutchings, who continues to hint that he has 'irons in the fire' on deadline day, but the clash could come too soon for any new-boys.

Sky Sports | Football | Match Preview | Newcastle v Wigan - 1st September 2007