Everton are eyeing a top-four spot while Wigan are aiming to claw their way out of the relegation zone at Goodison Park.
Toffees star Marouane Fellaini serves the second game of his three-match suspension for headbutting Ryan Shawcross at Stoke last week.
But fellow midfielder Darron Gibson is available because Everton have appealed his sending off against West Ham so any ban is delayed until a decision has been made.
David Moyes also has injury problems with Tony Hibbert (calf) and Kevin Mirallas (hamstring) both set to miss out.
Roberto Martinez could welcome back skipper Gary Caldwell after the Scot was an unused substitute in the defeat against Arsenal.
Caldwell's return would be a boost for Wigan as they have a defensive injury crisis with Antolin Alcaraz (groin), Ivan Ramis and Adrian Lopez (both hamstring) yet to return to the team.
Albert Crusat and Ben Watson remain long-term absentees with a knee injury and a broken leg respectively.
