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An early end

19/ 3/2008

LATICS will be without Lee Hughes for the rest of the season after it was revealed he requires adductor tendon release surgery.

The striker has suffered from hernia and groin problems following his arrival at Boundary Park and had missed 11 games since limping out of the 2-0 win over Carlisle United on January 29.

With Craig Davies also out, it leaves John Sheridan with Matty Wolfenden, Deane Smalley and Lewis Alessandra up front for Easter Saturday’s visit of Millwall, provided the latter overcomes the Achilles injury which kept him out of the 3-0 loss at Luton Town.

However, Sheridan received some good news when Neal Eardley was cleared by the Welsh FA to play at Doncaster Rovers on Easter Monday.

The defender was due to link up with the rest of John Toshack’s 22-man squad after the game against Millwall, ahead of Wales’ friendly against Luxembourg next Wednesday.

Following talks between Toshack and Sheridan, Eardley can now travel to the Welsh squad’s hotel after Monday’s match.

Eardley’s availability is a boost to an injury-torn Latics side who will be without Reuben Hazell on Saturday after his red card at Luton Town.

Sheridan said: "I’m hoping it was an off-day because we’ve got two hard games coming up against Millwall and Doncaster.

"We’ve got to pick ourselves up and improve a lot more if we’re to win games."

Latics have also been linked with a possible move for former midfielder Paul Murray at crisis club Gretna.

However, it is thought Carlisle United, as well as at least one Championship club would be interested in the 31-year-old.