Melchiot on the road to recovery and outlines importance of squad during busy period
Mario Melchiot is hopeful he can make a return to action against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Wednesday night.
The Wigan Athletic captain was forced off with a broken nose against Wolves a couple of weeks ago, and after missing the FA Cup tie at Notts County on Saturday, is aiming to make an impact in Latics' upcoming league encounter:
"Towards the end of the Wolves game I went up for a header and ended up breaking my nose," said Melchiot.
At the time I didn't really know what I'd done, because I was a bit dizzy and dazed from the blow, but when we got back into the changing rooms the doc put it right and since then I've been able to train regularly.
ALL FIRED UP: Skipper hoping to be ready to go.
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The hardest part is the effect it has on your breathing and therefore your recovery, so I'm not sure how long it will take but we're just assessing things day-by-day.
The clash against local-rivals Blackburn kicks-off the start of a busy schedule of eight, possibly nine games before the end of February, and the skipper highlighted the importance of getting a result to get things rolling:
"It's a massive game that everyone wants to be involved in, because we all know the atmosphere will be good and how important it is to get the win.
"We've got to make sure we prepare properly for the game and turn-up on the night, because these are definitely the kinds of games we need to be winning.
"It's the start of a busy schedule over the next month, but it's good to have that pressure, it brings out the best in you. These periods are why everyone says the Premier League is the most exciting in the world, so many things can happen during this time and it's going to be interesting.
"You look at Blackburn and they've probably got the same outlook as we have and that all adds to the occasion, so it's going to be an exciting game on Wednesday, one we need a result from.
"The important thing is to keep everybody fit during this time and make sure there is plenty of competition for places in the squad. Everyone knows that once you get a chance you have to take it instead of just thinking it will be an easy ride."
Melchiot also took a moment to reflect on Latics' FA Cup-run so far, stressing that although the club's main priorities may lie elsewhere, the cup is something that must be taken seriously:
"You've always got to show respect to the FA Cup, and that's exactly what the manager did at Notts County. He made some changes but still took a very strong squad and played a strong team.
"It might not be the line-up you see on a regular basis but everyone has to be given a chance, and with that players have to take that chance to earn a place for the next game.
"Most of the big-boys have been knocked out the competition already, and everyone goes into the FA Cup wanting to win it, that's no different for us.
"Everybody has to understand that the league is our main priority and that has our main focus over anything else, but there's so much history to the cup, one that is unrivalled anywhere else in the world. It means so much more to everyone here than wherever I've played football in the past, and you feel that whenever it comes round"
So could it be Wigan Athletic at Wembley?
"It would be very special, but have to be realistic and remember where our priorities lie. It does come second to the league but if we can go as far as we hope to it would be a great achievement."
