Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Chris Kirkland admits they need to start quickly picking up points after defeat at home by Portsmouth on Saturday.

Skipper Mario Melchiot and winger Antonio Valencia are set to return but Chris Hutchings will not risk rushing back Emile Heskey despite Wigan's toothless attack looking their big handicap.

Kirkland admitted: "Emile is a massive loss and it will be a bonus to have him back but we have a habit of giving soft goals away at crucial times and we did it again with 10 minutes to go.

"It feels like a long time since our last win and we've got a lot of work to do. We were top at one point and we've got the quality to turn things round."