Wigan Athletic manager Gary Caldwell has delivered a severe injury update, ruling loanee Luke Harris out for months and confirming several other key absences. The news comes as the Latics sit 22nd in League One with three points from four games, seven points adrift of leaders Huddersfield Town.
Caldwell confirmed the details to Wigan Today this week. Fulham loanee Luke Harris, 21, suffered a hamstring injury during the midweek match against MK Dons. "Luke's injury isn't a good one, his hamstring isn't great," Caldwell said. "He's still getting tested, but that will be months rather than weeks." The midfielder's extended absence is a major blow to a squad already struggling for results.
Harris is not the only player facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Summer acquisition Akeel Higgins limped off after just 12 minutes of Sunday's match at Wimbledon with his own hamstring problem. Caldwell indicated that setback is less severe but still significant. "With Akeel we're looking at five or six weeks, which is not great by any stretch of the imagination, but not a disaster like we are with Luke and Trev," the manager stated.
The 'Trev' Caldwell referred to is Ryan Trevitt, who is already ruled out for up to three months following a freak training ground injury. Striker Christian Saydee is also working his way back from a calf strain sustained during a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly against Manchester City. Saydee has recently returned to running on grass to build up his fitness, but his return date remains unclear. Fans can track the latest availability on the club's dedicated injuries page.
These injuries strike at a difficult moment in the season. Wigan's first victory of the campaign last weekend moved them off the foot of the table, but they remain deep in the relegation zone. The team has scored five goals but conceded seven in their opening four fixtures, leaving them with a negative goal difference. The mounting injury list complicates Caldwell's task of building momentum and climbing the standings.
The absence of creative players like Harris and Higgins puts extra pressure on the remaining squad members to create and score goals. It also limits Caldwell's options for rotation and tactical changes during matches. The manager must now find solutions from within a depleted group as they prepare for a tough run of games.
The immediate challenge is a daunting away trip to face Sheffield Wednesday on September 12th. Wednesday currently sit second in the League One table, making this a particularly difficult assignment for an injury-ravaged side. The full schedule of upcoming matches is available on the fixtures page.
Preparing for such a key opponent without multiple first-team players will test the depth and resilience of Caldwell's squad. The manager will likely have to rely on younger players or those returning from their own fitness issues to step into the breach. How the team copes with this adversity could define their early-season form. The club's squad list shows the available options Caldwell has at his disposal.
Wigan Athletic travel to Hillsborough to play Sheffield United on September 12, 2026.
