Joe Royle says his side are "not giving up" on the play-offs ahead of tomorrow's game against Leyton Orient.
Royle insists his side will keep going until the task is mathematically impossible, making the game at the Matchroom Stadium absolutely vital to any hopes of a top-six finish.
The Latics chief will make a number of changes ahead of the game, particularly up front due to yesterday's departure of top scorer Lee Hughes to Blackpool.
Lewis Alessandra, Deane Smalley and loanee Steven Kabba will fight it out for the available spots up front, while Danny Whitaker is also pressing for a place after he scored a late equaliser at Cheltenham in midweek.
Royle has already confirmed that Stefan Stam and Ian Westlake will start the game. Stam has now completed a one-match ban, while Westlake was ineligible for the visit to Cheltenham.
Kieran Lee comes into the reckoning and has been included in the 18-man travelling party which will leave Boundary Park this afternoon following a training session.
Mark Crossley (back) and Dale Stephens (thigh) remain out, while Neal Eardley is unavailable as he is away on international duty with Wales U21s.
Latics face an Orient side who earned a 1-1 draw at Boundary Park just before Christmas. Andy Liddell opened the scoring from the spot in the first half, only for Jason Demetriou to fire an equaliser 18 minutes from time.
Martin Ling has been replaced by Geraint Williams since then, though, as Orient struggled to find form.
They currently lie in 18th place, just three points outside the relegation places with 42 points from 38 games. Four home games have been won so far, with a further four draws and ten defeats.
Form has improved over the last couple of months, with two wins, a draw and a defeat in February, followed by two defeats sandwiched by three straight wins in March.
Walsall triumphed 1-0 at the Matchroom Stadium last week, but prior to that reverse Orient had seen off Brighton, Carlisle and Stockport - the latter two on the road.
Orient boss Williams will be without defender Tamika Mkandawire after he limped out of the defeat to Walsall with a knee injury.
Meanwhile Adam Boyd continued his comeback from a knee problem by appearing in a midweek reserve game at Watford.
Commentary is live and exclusive on Latics World from 2.55pm with Gordon Lawton and Roy Butterworth. Click here to sign up today.
Latics (from): Supple, Fleming, Lee, Lomax, Hazell, Stam, Jones, Taylor, Westlake, Maher, Allott, Whitaker, Alessandra, Kabba, Smalley, Liddell, Ferreira, Gregan.
