Manager John Sheridan is hoping to capitalise on the club’s seven game unbeaten run and take the game to Sheffield United on Saturday.
Sheridan’s men will have had an 11-day rest since their last game against Port Vale due to last week’s postponement due to the snow.
That unforeseen break has allowed players to recover from injuries and rest ahead of the game against the Blades this weekend and the manager wants to take the game to his opponents.
He said: “The postponement enabled me to give the lads a couple of days off but we are back in training now for the game against Sheffield United. It will be a difficult game but it’s a good game for us.
“Just because you’re a big club, it doesn’t mean you have a right to be at the top of the league but with the squad they have got, I’m surprised where they are. They’ve got a really strong squad and I really like Nigel Adkins.
“Sheffield United are one of the bigger clubs in the division and when you go there everyone seems to perform a little bit better and hopefully we can rise to the occasion there.
“They are having a sticky patch and we are on a decent run ourselves and we know the importance of the three points.”
Danny Lafferty has now returned to Burnley after the completion of his loan with the club and the manager has plenty of options to fill that void.
“I do feel as though we need a left sided player but at the same time I think we have players who can play there,” he commented.
“I wouldn’t be afraid of putting Brian Wilson there, Cameron Dummigan there and Joseph Mills plays there but I think sometimes we need the balance of having a left footer.”
Due to his departure, the manager could now be tempted to bring in another loan man but will not bring in a player for the sake of it.
"If I want to bring in another striker, that means we’ve got the five loans up. I can bring eight loans in if I want but five can only feature on a matchday so I don’t think it’s right.
"I’ve got to look at it and do what is best for us. My decision is always for the team. I’ll look at it and see what to do,” he admitted.
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.