Kevin Kilbane is targeting Wigan's game with Birmingham at The JJB Stadium on Saturday as a real marker in The Latics' fight for Premier League survival.

The meeting with Blues at the weekend is a critical stage in the season for Steve Bruce's side as the duo sit side by side in the table - Wigan in 16th, Birmingham in 17th - with just a point separating them, and Kilbane knows the importance of setting off on a winning streak at home as the season's close looms.

"If we win on Saturday, it would go a long way towards us staying up but we still wouldn't get carried away," said Kilbane in the Wigan Evening Post.

"I wouldn't quite call it a must-win game but a victory could certainly help us over the coming weeks.

"Last season, away results probably kept us up - this season it will be our home form which will be the key.

"We've looked more solid at our place, been a lot harder to beat and hopefully it can continue that way.

"The Birmingham game is a big one and they will be looking to build on their win over Manchester City which was a fantastic result.

"They'll come here with a bit of confidence and we have to be ready for that."