Wigan facing defensive crisis ahead of visit of QPR

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is set to be without four central defenders for tomorrow's key Barclays Premier League clash with QPR at the DW Stadium.

Antolin Alcaraz (groin) and Ivan Ramis (hamstring) are injured while captain Gary Caldwell and Maynor Figueroa are both suspended after the Football Association rejected Wigan's appeal against the latter's red card in Monday's 3-0 defeat by Newcastle.

The Latics also have other injury problems, with midfielder Ben Watson (broken leg), wingers Albert Crusat (knee) and Ryo Miyaichi (ankle) and playmaker Shaun Maloney (groin) all sidelined.

Provisional squad: Al Habsi, Pollitt, Beausejour, Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Kone, Boselli, Gomez, Jones, McManaman, Fyvie, Lopez, Stam, Di Santo, Golobart.

PA