Albion welcomed back Kerry Mayo and Gary Hart for Saturday's clash of the recent draw specialists at the JJB Stadium.

Left back Mayo missed the Seagulls' previous three matches with a knee ligament injury.

Hart was also ruled out of the stalemates over Christmas against Chesterfield, Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool because of a badly bruised leg.

Mayo replaced Robbie Pethick, which meant Paul Watson returning to his customary right back role.

Hart came in for Paul Rogers, who was starting a two match suspension against his former club.

Will Packham was on the bench as cover for loan keeper Simon Royce.

Packham is on standby for his full debut in Tuesday's F.A. Cup tie against Preston at Withdean after Michel Kuipers suffered a training setback in his recovery from a pulled thigh muscle.

Kuipers was still in the party which travelled North and he was put through his paces along the touchline by physio Malcolm Stuart before the kick-off.

Albion's 2-2 draw at Blackpool on their last outing a fortnight ago was their fifth in the last six League matches.

Wigan completed a club record six successive League draw with last Saturday's 2-2 deadlock at Albion's fellow promotion chasers Bristol City.

Canadian stopper Jason De Vos, who scored as a substitute on his comeback from a broken foot, was in the starting line-up this time at the expense of Scott Green.

Wigan: John Filan; Matt Jackson, Jason De Vos, Arjan De Zeeuw, Steve McMilland, Gary Teale, Tony Dinning, Peter Kenenedy, Ged Brannan, Andy Liddell, Lee McCulloch. Subs: Kilford, Haworth, Roberts, Dalglish, Green.

Albion: Simon Royce; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Simon Morgan, Gary Hart, Charlie Oatway, Richard Carpenter, Lee Steele, Nathan Jones, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Brooker, Packham, Virgo, Pethick, Webb.

Referee: Mr P, Walton (Northants).