Athletic will be chasing Joe Royle's first victory of his second spell as manager as he prepares to wave farewell to the club following tomorrow's game at Walsall (KO 3pm).
Latics are on an 11-game winless run - but there's double motivation tomorrow in the form of Royle's departure and new boss Dave Penney looking on.
Penney - who was unveiled as the new boss yesterday - has said he will take no part in preparations for the game, allowing him to focus his attention fully from the stands.
Royle has admitted that tomorrow's game may be his last in management and says he is "desperate" to achieve a win.
He is likely to take a look at a number of youngsters once again, and has hinted that second-year striker Ryan Brooke may win a spot up front. Otherwise he is almost certain to be named on the bench.
Greg Fleming looks set to win back his place in goal for the final game of the season, but Chris Taylor remains out with an ankle problem. Royle will also not name Dale Stephens, who he says is not match fit enough to command a place.
Defender Stefan Stam is again left out of the squad, but otherwise Royle will go with a fully-fit squad ahead of the game at the Banks's Stadium.
Walsall have enjoyed a solid season and currently sit in 11th place with 61 points, just a single spot behind Latics who round out the top ten.
Manager Chris Hutchings replaced Jimmy Mullen mid-season, and he has guided the Saddlers to three successive away wins recently, including last week's 1-0 win at MK Dons.
Home form has been generally good, with 10 wins recorded (plus three draws and nine defeats). Walsall have scored 33 goals on their own patch but surprisingly have a negative home goal difference courtesy of a tally of 34 goals shipped.
Hutchings is sweating on the fitness of ex-Latics man Michael Ricketts, who is also the club's top scorer with 12 goals. He has an Achilles problem, while Jabo Ibehre may miss out after coming off during last week's win at MK Dons.
Defender Stephen Roberts will also miss out, while Alex Nicholls and Josh Craddock could come into the reckoning.
Meanwhile, Latics' medical chief Marc Czuczman makes his first return to the club where he previously enjoyed a successful spell, including a League Two championship.
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Latics (from): Crossley, Fleming, Eardley, Whitaker, Allott, Lomax, Hazell, Maher, Gregan, Wolfenden, Lee, Jones, Smalley, Alessandra, Black, Brooke, Westlake.
