Wigan Athletic boss Chris Hutchings says they're shaking off their 'little club' tag thanks to England star Emile Heskey.

Hutchings said: "People have always said that this is little old Wigan and we can't attract big players. But I disagree.

"After all, we have big players like Paul Scharner, Chris Kirkland, Denny Landzaat, Antonio Valencia and Mario Melchiot plus, of course, Heskey. We are now a big Premier League club and we want big players to join us.

"That tag of 'little old Wigan - an unfashionable club just outside Manchester' - is disappearing. In the last few years we have been in the Premier League and reached the League Cup final.

"I want hungry players to make this a better place and that's what we have got at the moment."

Former Fulham skipper Michael Brown faces his old club at the JJB Stadium.

Hutchings added: "He is a leader and a winner, and we want winners at this club.

"I don't want him to get silly bookings but if it means getting three points, sometimes you would take the booking, wouldn't you?