Wigan Athletic 3 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

Wigan Athletic v Blackburn Rovers: Preview

Updated: December 12, 2008, 4:29 PM UK

Defender Emmerson Boyce will miss the Barclays Premier League visit of Lancashire neighbours Blackburn with a torn hamstring.

The centre-back was injured in last weekend's defeat at Arsenal and is expected to be out for at least a fortnight, although Paul Scharner should have recovered from a groin strain to replace him.

Striker Henri Camara has been ill all week and will be checked before the match. Central midfielder Wilson Palacios serves a one-match suspension.

Manager Steve Bruce has backed former team-mate Paul Ince to turn things around at Blackburn.

Some reports have suggested Bruce could put his ex-Manchester United colleague out of a job if his side defeat struggling Rovers at the JJB.

But the Latics boss believes Ince should be given much longer than 16 matches to make his mark on the top flight, especially because this is his first experience of the Premier League.

"I have known him since he was a kid and when he came to United and I was the older one in the squad,'' said Bruce.

"He has a fierce pride and a fierce determination about him and he always wants to succeed. He succeeded very well as a player.

"We know he's got a lot of bottle; you don't play for clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan otherwise.

"I hope after Saturday he changes it around, because he needs a bit of time.''

As for the time frame, Bruce has little doubt Ince deserves a significantly extended opportunity to prove himself.

"Sixteen weeks - is that too early to judge?'' he asks.

"If and when he does turn it around he will look back on it and see it does make you a better manager. All of us have had tough times.

"This time last year we had nine points after 16 games - so I knew we had to have an unbelievable turnaround and do things pretty quickly.

"I've been sacked after having a tough time and I've apparently been close to the sack and turned it around.

"You learn from those times - because when you are going okay it is not easy, but you are okay.''

Midfielder David Dunn will be on the bench for Blackburn.

The 28-year-old has not played since the second match of the season on August 28 after sustaining an Achilles injury.

Defender Martin Olsson has picked up a knock this week but winger Morten Gamst Pedersen is fit despite picking up shoulder problem in last weekend's defeat to Liverpool.

Defender Aaron Mokoena and striker Jason Roberts are also fit after pulling out late last week.

Ince insists it has been business as usual this week - and dismissed talk of a crisis at the club.

Much was made of a board meeting held on Tuesday - even though it was a regular monthly appointment - with some reports suggesting Ince has only the match at Wigan to save his Rovers career.

Having not won in 10 Barclays Premier League matches, the pressure on Ince has been growing by the week. But he has shrugged it off and said he was just focusing on trying to get something out of the trip to the JJB Stadium.

"It [the board meeting] was something that was booked five weeks ago. Some guys want to make it like it was a crisis meeting, but it was nothing like that,'' he said.

"We had a chat for a couple of hours and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet.

"We hope we can start winning games - and with January coming up, we are looking at a couple of (transfer) targets.

"The only way I can stop speculation is by getting three points on the board.

"I don't look at the papers, but people tell me every time you pick them up there is something about Blackburn.

"That is football, but I want to concentrate on Saturday and getting the players right.''

All the day-to-day signs at Ewood Park have been encouraging since last week.

"This week has been great. Training has been great, and the lads have been up for it,'' Ince reports.

"But you get sick and tired of hearing about it. I think sometimes they should change the record.

"All I can do is block it out and concentrate on what is more important. That is my players.

"It is important I take the pressure away from the players and let them concentrate on 90 minutes at Wigan.''