The Baggies have struggled at the foot of the Barclays Premier League for most of the season and defeat on Saturday would virtually condemn them to relegation.

Kirkland spent the 2005/6 season on loan at The Hawthorns from Liverpool but knows he cannot allow that to cloud his view of the match, with Wigan currently on a four-fixture winless streak that has effectively ended their hopes of European football for the first time in their history.

"I had a spell at Albion a few years ago, played 12 games then got injured, which was me finished there," he said.

"It will be nice to go back there as I still speak to a lot of the players and it will be good to see them all again.

"But the most important thing is to go to The Hawthorns and get something for Wigan.

"We only have three weeks of the season left and we want to finish it well, not have a hangover for next season.

"It will be a tough game at Albion - they play some very good football but we are capable of doing that too."

Wigan have injury worries over defensive duo Mario Melchiot and Paul Scharner, who were both forced off in Saturday's goalless draw at home to Bolton Wanderers.

"Melchiot has a groin injury and Scharner's problem is his knee," manager Steve Bruce said. "We'll see how they are as the week goes on, then make a decision."