Latics kick off their Johnstone's Paint Trophy challenge tonight when they face League Two side Morecambe at Boundary Park (KO 7.45pm).
Athletic will be looking to continue their excellent start to the season, while Sammy McIlroy's side aim to rack up their first win of the 2008/09 season.
The hosts go into the game in high spirits after reversing a 2-0 deficit at Colchester on Saturday.
Chris Taylor and Deane Smalley netted - the latter two minutes from time - after winger Mark Yeates bagged a double to give the home side the upper hand.
The result meant Athletic ended August in second place in League One, behind leaders Leicester only by virtue of goal difference.
Meanwhile Morecambe currently lie 18th in League Two after a disappointing start to the new season.
They began the campaign with a 1-1 draw at Wycombe, but exited the Carling Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest (0-4) before a trio of League defeats.
The latest came on home turf on Saturday as high-flying Dagenham & Redbridge came to Christie Park and left with three points courtesy of a 2-1 win.
Latics' progress in the competition was halted in the second round last season via a 3-0 defeat at Doncaster.
Accrington Stanley were beaten in the first round with goals from Craig Davies, Andy Liddell and Matty Wolfenden.
Meanwhile, Morecambe reached the Area Final last time around, beating Tranmere, Port Vale, Hartlepool and Bury along the way.
However, they fell one step short of a trip to Wembley as Grimsby eventually triumphed 1-0 on aggregate in a tight two-legged affair.
Both managers will be mindful of the rules surrounding the competition, whereas six of the players who have accrued the most starts so far must play from the start.
Boss John Sheridan looks likely to mix things up in some areas, and could hand Craig Davies only his second start of the season.
Greg Fleming, Stefan Stam, Chris O'Grady, Kevin Maher and Deane Smalley will also be in contention.
Matty Wolfenden (thigh) remains Sheridan's only injury worry.
Meanwhile midfielder Craig Stanley could return for the Shrimps, while frontman Diarmuid O'Carroll will be hoping to make his full debut.
Commentary on the game is live and exclusive on Latics World from 7.30pm.
Latics (from): Crossley, Eardley, Maher, Stam, Whitaker, Allott, Hughes, Davies, O'Grady, Lomax, Fleming, Hazell, Gregan, Taylor, Lee, Stephens, Liddell, Smalley, Alessandra.
