Nearly two decades since they last came head-to-head, Cheltenham Town and Wigan Athletic do battle at the Latics DW Stadium on Saturday (kick-off: 3pm).

Both clubs have experienced plenty of different fortunes since they were last league counterparts.

Wigan have made it up into the Premier League where they held their own for a number of seasons, also earning qualification for European football, while Cheltenham are back in the joint highest level in their history having in that time moved up and down between tiers three to five.

Saturday's game is another long away trip north and all set to be another big test at a new level this season. Wigan sit top of the division and are hoping to achieve promotion to the Championship.

Cheltenham fans making the journey this weekend should be aware that junction 10 of the M6 will be shut at the weekend. An 'up and over' diversion will be in place.

Team news

New loan arrival Christian Norton is expected to be included in the squad for the first time after he began training with his new teammates this week.

Fellow loan striker Kyle Joseph (pictured) could return to the side after he missed Tuesday's Carabao Cup third round tie at Preston North End due to being cup-tied.

Defender Charlie Raglan is expected to be a part of the squad, though Callum Wright definitely misses out through injury.

A decision will be made on whether Liam Sercombe is possibly available to be fit and included in the squad.

Media talk

Michael Duff is well aware of the vast challenge that faces his side, as well as on Tuesday with a visit to Sunderland also to come.

"It's our job to try and find a weakness and the first thing we need to do is make sure we deliver a performance.

"It's all good having ideas and plans, but if the players don't stand up and be counted first and foremost, we won't be in the game.

"We'll go up, prepare properly, go up and train tomorrow and try our best - that's all we can do. The next two games are the ultimate free hits."

See the full interview with the Robins manager for free by watching on iFollow.

New loan arrival Christian Norton has also been speaking about his transfer to the club and potential debut on Saturday on iFollow.

Opposition

Last season Wigan Athletic overcame worrying financial problems and difficulties on the pitch to secure their League One status by a single point. This time around after seven matches they find themselves top of the division they were almost relegated out of just a few months ago.

Under new ownership they are one of many ambitious clubs in the third tier. It's now their second season at this level after relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2019/20 campaign, while it was just back in 2013 when they were last playing football in the Premier League - an eight season stay they had in the world's biggest league.

Hoping to climb back into the level below the top flight, they boast an excellent squad which includes noteworthy front man Charlie Wyke, who transferred to the DW Stadium in the summer from league rivals Sunderland.

Former Manchester United youngster Will Keane is another forward who possesses lots of quality, while elsewhere in their attack youth product Callum Lang, summer signing Stephen Humphrys and 85 time capped Republic of Ireland international James McClean all carry an attacking threat.

Ex-Portsmouth man Jack Whatmough, the well-travelled Tom Naylor and Jordan Cousins are just some of the names who provide their team with a platform in defence and midfield - while goalkeeper Ben Amos, is a previous England under-21 international who started his career at Manchester United.

The manager: Leam Richardson

After two caretaker stints, Leam Richardson was confirmed as Wigan manager in April at the end of a 2020/21 season where he helped the Latics survive relegation to League Two.

He had been assistant to previous boss Paul Cook but is now in full charge at the DW Stadium.

It's his second managerial role. Between 2012 and 2013 he took charge at Accrington Stanley - the club where he ended his playing career which also saw him pull on a shirt for the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Notts County and Blackpool.

Head-to-Head

The two clubs have only met twice before, and it was at the same level in the pyramid, back during the 2002/03 season.

The first meeting in August at Whaddon Road saw Andy Liddell and Lee McCulloch score the goals to help the Latics to a 2-0 win.

When the sides met again later in the season in February at Wigan, the match ended goalless, with the opposition team that day including the likes of Jimmy Bullard, Nathan Ellington and Gary Teale - all players who would go onto play a significant role in their promotion to the Premier League a few years later.

Tickets & travel

Ticket prices for the game are as follows:

Adult £20
Senior (65+) £15
Under 18 £10
Under 12 £5
Under 5 £2

Fans who have booked onto the Travel Club coach can board from 9.30am when it departs from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium.

Any tickets purchased, but not collected from the Cheltenham ticket office, will be available to collect from Wigan on the day.

Travelling fans should be made aware that junction 10 of the M6 will be shut at the weekend. An 'up and over' diversion will be in place so expect traffic if choosing this route.

Coverage

Social media: Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news and updates, CTFC on Facebook for score updates and @CTFCofficial on Instagram.

Website: Read the match report post-match and see reaction to the result from inside the camp.

Radio: Tune in to live commentary on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and on iFollow.

Highlights: Watch extended highlights on iFollow, on Sky Sports, on Quest and on the CTFC YouTube channel.