Wigan will be without playmaker Charles N'Zogbia and have a doubt over defender Antolin Alcaraz for the visit of Newcastle on New Year's Day.
N'Zogbia is beginning a three-match ban after his red card against Arsenal in midweek while Alcaraz is rated 50-50 with a thigh injury.
New signing Adrian Lopez, the former Spain Under-21 and Deportivo La Coruna defender, could come into consideration.
Emmerson Boyce (hamstring) and Franco di Santo (ankle) are not yet fit to return while Victor Moses and James McCarthy remain on the long-term casualty list.
Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has returned to Wigan after a loan spell at Leicester but is not in contention due to a back complaint.
Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is out of Sunday's clash.
The 21-year-old was on Friday due to undergo a scan on a thigh injury, but will miss out at the DW Stadium and is also a major doubt for Wednesday night's home clash with West Ham.
However, Shola Ameobi is expected to be fit after shaking off the hamstring injury which has kept him out of the last two games, while skipper Kevin Nolan returns from suspension and Jose Enrique (also hamstring) and Sol Campbell (illness) should be available.
Midfielder Dan Gosling, who is yet to play for the club, is making rapid progress in his fight to return from a long-term knee injury, but Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) and Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) are still out.
Wigan (from): Al Habsi, G Caldwell, Gohouri, Stam, Figueroa, Alcaraz, Lopez, Watson, Diame, McArthur, Cleverley, Thomas, Rodallega, Boselli, Gomez, McManaman, S Caldwell, Golobart, Mustoe, Pollitt.
Newcastle (from): Krul, Harper, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, S Taylor, Campbell, Kadar, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Smith, Routledge, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Tavernier, Donaldson, Ameobi, Lovenkrands, Ranger, Xisco.
