Ched Evans to miss out as Fleetwood boss Joey Barton faces injury issues ahead of Wigan test

There is no serious issue with the Welsh striker but Evans missed training yesterday and therefore cannot be selected, says the Town boss.

However, centre-back Sam Stubbs is set to be out for “at least six to eight weeks” after knee surgery.

Head coach Barton said: “We’ve got a couple of niggles and concerns going into the game.

“Sam Finley has picked up a knock, which is why he had to come out of the game at Portsmouth. We’ll assess him and see how he is.

“Glenn Whelan is back into contention, having had a little problem with his Achilles.

“Ched Evans didn’t train, so he won’t be available for selection.

“Sam Stubbs had surgery on Thursday on his knee. He’s been trying to manage himself through it but he’s ended up having to have surgery.

“That will probably put him out for at least six to eight weeks. Everyone else is fine.”

Town enter the weekend three points outside the play-off zone, though they have play two games more than sixth-placed Doncaster Rovers.

But having beaten Swindon Town and drawn with Portsmouth on their travels over the past week, Barton is hoping to go into Christmas with seven points from nine.

But the Town boss is not looking beyond Latics this afternoon and won’t be taking the second-bottom club lightly.

Barton said: “It’s been a good week but we’ve got to finish it off. We’ve got a tough fixture.

“Wigan took a pasting last time out against Rochdale at home (losing 5-0 on Tuesday) and I’m pretty sure – knowing Leam Richardson, Gregor Rioch and Frankie Bunn – that they will be looking to respond in the right manner.

“I know it’s a tough time for the football club and I’m pretty sure they’ll want to put right what went wrong against Rochdale.

“They’ve put in some good performances against Accrington Stanley and Sunderland (winning both games before the Dale defeat).

“We’re under no illusions that these are the whipping boys of the division based on one performance. We don’t think that at all.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re fully at it from the minute the game kicks off .

“League One is a tough league, where every fixture needs to be navigated with the correct mindset and the correct philosophy.”

Fleetwood’s League One trip to MK Dons has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 19, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Town’s visit to Milton Keynes was originally scheduled for Saturday 9 but the Dons face an FA Cup trip to Burnley on that date.

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