Wigan are the team to beat, says skipper

The Latics are the only undefeated side in the country with a two-point advantage over second-placed Preston and five points clear of Burnley in third .

That record underlines their current favouritism for a promotion spot.

And Armstrong confirmed: "They are the team to beat. They are top of the league and full of confidence."

However the Burnley defender believes his side is well equipped to meet the challenge.

"They are riding high, it's a long time since they have been beaten and it's a really tough game.

"But we are going pretty well and it should be a good game. Everybody's looking forward to it."

Tomorrow's North West derby, which could attract a record crowd to Wigan's new home and the club's first 10,000-plus gate for 16 years, throws up an intriguing clash between the most prolific forward line and the tightest defence in the Second Division.

Stuart Barlow and Simon Haworth have scored 31 goals between them in all competitions this season, while Burnley have conceded just five goals in nine away games.

And Armstrong, who will continue at left-back, insists that Burnley won't change their approach.

"The gaffer is fairly happy with the way things are going defensively," he added. "We didn't play as well as we have been going forward the other night, and we didn't play as much football. But defensively we have been fairly sound. Their strikeforce is in good form, but so is our defence."

Burnley's 0-0 draw at Reading on Wednesday extended their run to one defeat in seven League games.

However, all three points at Wigan would give their promotion push a massive lift.

"We were really disappointed the other night. Everybody felt disappointed because we didn't play as well as we should.

"We need to try and win a few more away games. That certainly gives you a big boost and takes the pressure off from the home games," admitted Armstrong, who expects Wigan to remain as one of Burnley's leading rivals.

"They have got a chairman who has spent a lot of money investing in the club and if they hit a trouble spot it looks as though they can spend.

"They have tried to sign some more players this week and they are going for it to try and get up.

"I think with the squad they've already got and if they add to it they have a good chance of being there or thereabouts," he said.

The Clarets were due to check on the fitness of Andy Cooke today and if the striker is passed fit following a calf injury they may again be unchanged.

Burnley were below-par in mid-week but they believe their form taken as a whole over the season stands them in good stead for what promises to be their toughest assignment so far. "In general terms I don't think we need to raise our game. I think we can cope with anything and we are on the right lines," said assistant boss Sam Ellis.

Ellis paid tribute to Wigan's "admirable record" and confirmed: "It's a good game in every way and everybody is looking forward to it."

But despite the fixture's status as the division's match-of-the-season to date, neither side will be promoted by tomorrow night.

"There are still 27 games left after tomorrow," Ellis added. "People tend to go game-by-game but the manager tries to look at it in a wider way. We are quite happy with the way the players have responded and played (this season)."

Goalkeeper Roy Carroll returned from injury in Wigan's reserves this week and will be pressing former Aberdeen man Derek Stillie for his place.

Burnley from: Crichton, West, Armstrong, Mellon, Davis, Thomas, Little, Cook, Cooke, Payton, Mullin, Jepson, Branch, Johnrose, Brass, Lee, Robertson, Weller, Cowan.

Wigan from: Stillie, Sharp, Green, McGibbon, Balmer, Dezeeuw, Haworth, O'Neill, Barlow, Kilford, Liddell, Martinez, Griffiths, Sheridan, McLaughlin, Bowen, Morris, Carroll (gk).

Burnley's youth team also play Wigan tomorrow, although they are at home in the Youth Alliance.

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