Dave Penney was today beginning a search for a new striker after learning that injured loan-player Daniel Nardiello is unlikely to play for Latics again.
The Latics manager was dealt yet another injury blow after Nardiello tore a hamstring on his home debut against Leyton Orient on Tuesday.
Penney has not given up hope of capturing a player in time for tomorrow's home game against Wycombe Wanderers in Coca-Cola League One.
He added there is no great urgency, however, as Deane Smalley pushed up alongside Pawel Abbott in midweek while Keigan Parker and Ryan Brooke have since recovered from injury and return to the squad while teenage striker Tom Eaves will again be involved.
"We are a little light up front, even though we have four or five different options, and ideally we would like to bring in another striker as this week we have lost Daniel and Jason Price," explained Penney.
The Latics manager is looking to build on Tuesday's win against Leyton Orient as the Chairboys tomorrow visit Boundary Park.
He said: "We always knew March would be an important month after the tough run on matches.
"It was important we didn't get beaten at Exeter and that we beat Leyton Orient which we did. We need to back it up with a win against Wycombe and then we can look forward to going to Stockport on Tuesday.
"The early goal against Leyton Orient gave the players extra confidence and, as a knock-on effect, the crowd got behind them more."
Penney added it is important Latics try to put some more distance between themselves and second-bottom Wycombe who are seven points adrift from a position of safety and try to achieve a mid-table spot.
The Latics manager thought his side should have won in December at Wycombe where they drew 2-2. He pointed to a penalty miss from Paul Heffernan and also clear-cut chances which ought to have given them victory.
Wycombe, despite their lowly league standing, have completed a league double against play-off team Millwall and also drawn with Southampton which underlines Penney's prophecy that it will be a tough match.
He points to Chairboys manager Gary Waddock making a number of changes in personnel which will make them more of an unknown quantity than in their first meeting.
"There are no easy games. It is about how you play and start the game. If we start nice and brightly, as we did on Tuesday, I have every confidence we will be fine."
Penney added it has been a frustrating season in terms of the knockbacks which continue with the injury to Nardiello a prime example.
"Everything we have done this season has gone against us in terms of injuries. There has been numerous setbacks and hopefully the turning point was Dean Brill's last minute penalty save against Exeter," he said.
