Martinez: Fringe players can press claims

Roberto Martinez says Saturday’s trip to West Ham will be an ideal opportunity for some of his fringe players to taste first-team football.

The Latics travel to London for a massive English Premier League six-pointer at Upton Park, shorn of several of their star names.

Antolin Alcaraz and Hugo Rodellaga are suspended following their red cards at Manchester United last Saturday, and they join injured trio James McCarthy, Gary Caldwell and Emmerson Boyce on the sidelines. Second-choice goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has joined Championship outfit Leicester City on-loan.

But rather than feel sorry for himself, the Wigan boss prefers to look on the positive side.

“These situations happen during the course of the season, and you just have to get on with it,” Martinez said.

“It’s probably been accentuated because we’ve got two players suspended as well as three out injured.”

“But we’ll use this period to make sure Antolin’s body is regenerated, because he flew out to Hong Kong last week with Paraguay.”

“Hugo will miss three games, which is an even worse situation, but it has happened at the best possible time because he’ll be able to get the ban out of the way in seven days.”

“And he’ll be able to come back better than ever.”

Martinez will bring back Tom Cleverley, who was unable to face his parent club last week, while Rodallega’s place up front will go to either Mauro Boselli or Franco Di Santo.

“It’s one of those key moments in a season where the squad is going to be heavily tested,” Martinez added.

“We have to make sure we are ready mentally and physically to cope with that.”

“There are a few players who have been working extremely hard but not been playing as many minutes, and you need opportunities like this to show what you can do.”

“We are breathing fresh excitement around the training ground. What can be a disappointment for some, is a real opportunity for others.”

“And if we show the same character as we showed at Old Trafford at the weekend, we’ll be all right.”