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Wigan could lose Honduras duo

Image: Martinez: Not yet safe

Honduras want Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas to feature in Thursday's friendly with Venezuela.

National Federation want Figueroa and Thomas for friendly

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is on a collision course with Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda over internationals Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas. The Latics duo are key to their national side, who have a World Cup preparation friendly with Venezuela on Thursday in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. National boss Rueda would like Figueroa and Thomas to feature, but doing so would rule the pair out of Wigan's key clash with relegation rivals West Ham next Saturday. Martinez is wary of not only losing both players for the visit to Upton Park, but the risk of putting their long-term availability in jeopardy. "The Honduras federation are asking us for medical reports," Martinez told The Mirror. "Maynor has played a lot of games and we have to be careful with him. Hendry is just back from injury."

Survival

Meanwhile, Latics defender Mario Melchiot has stressed the importance of securing survival before the last day of the season, when Wigan travel to his former club Chelsea. The Dutchman is wary of the party atmosphere likely to be on show at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues on course to securing their third Premier League title. "You don't want to be going there requiring a result, especially if Chelsea have already won it," Melchiot told The Sun. "I know what it is like at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season. They'll be trying to put on a show for their fans. "It's very important we are safe before we go there. All our remaining games are like cup finals for us. It's vital that we stay in the Premier League." Wigan are five points clear of the drop zone with four games remaining, with home games against Arsenal and fellow strugglers Hull City yet to come.

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