LATICS v BIRMINGHAM CITY
Barclays Premier League
Saturday April 5, 3.00pm

Tickets Available until kick-off (JJB Stadium database only)

Latics' England international striker EMILE HESKEY faces up to his former employers Birmingham City for the first time since leaving St Andrews at the JJB on Saturday afternoon but insists that plays absolutely no part in his desire to win.

"It really is a game like any other," he says, "just another massive game for the club! It's a game we need to win because we know what a big step that would be towards safety.

"Birmingham are one of the clubs around us in the table and, like Bolton in the last match here, it makes it twice as sweet if you manage to get one over on your rivals."

Heskey missed the trip to St. Andrews last October as he was still recovering from his fractured metatarsal injury, and says playing former clubs is just a part of football.

"The time to sit down and have a chat with former team mates is after the game, when it's all over and your work is done. Then you can relax.

"Prior to that you have to be totally focused on doing your best for your present club. That's the way it has to be."

Heskey said he was delighted to get on the score sheet at the JJB Stadium in the last match here against Bolton, and would love to repeat that again on Saturday.

"It was great to score again, any player will tell you it's a great feeling to score in front of your own fans.

"It has been a difficult season. When you pick up a bad injury, it can take a long time before you really get back to your best and I just want to concentrate now on staying fit for the rest of the season and finishing on a high with Wigan by securing our place in the Premier League."

Heskey says the mood in the camp is really upbeat.

"I think the players will be up for it on Saturday. We know how big a game this is. When you get to this part of the season, there is added pressure because there is so much riding on the games, but pressure is something I'm used to and I know that everyone will be focused and ready come Saturday."