Steve Gohouri ready to take on fellow compatriots on Saturday

Steve Gohouri is looking forward to clashing with his fellow countrymen tomorrow when Latics take on Chelsea here at the DW Stadium, desperate not to be on the losing side.

His Ivory Coast team-mates Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are likely to feature for Carlo Ancelotti's side on Saturday, and Steve knows concentration will be key if the home side are to recreate another momentous win over the champions;

"It will be a really tough afternoon for everybody on the pitch, there's a lot at stake for both sides and we're hungry to get back out on the pitch and play," said Gohouri.

"Hopefully I'll get the chance to go against a couple of my fellow countrymen in Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba, and I really don't want to lose against them.

"If we're going to stop them we have to stay concentrated in every single second of the game, because if you switch off for one second they can punish you."

Gohouri admitted that despite picking up a slight knock during last weekend's game against Blackpool he's ready and raring to go;

"I picked up a knock last weekend against Blackpool so training at the beginning of the week was difficult.

"But as the week went along my condition got a lot better and now I'm ready to face Chelsea on Saturday.

"Everybody in the squad is really motivated and they all want to get out on the pitch and prove themselves after the last game.

Earlier in the week Gary Caldwell was named Club Captain with Steve one part of a five-man sub-committee voted for by the players to also represent the team, and he gave us his thoughts on the decision;

"Gary's a leader, it comes naturally to him both on and off the pitch and he'll be a fantastic captain.

"I've not been at the club for a very long time so to have been given the opportunity to be one of the vice-captain's is something I'm very proud of.

"It shows that the manager and the players have confidence in me and I want to re-pay them on the pitch."