 Roberts is given his marching orders against Everton |
Wigan's Jason Roberts will be able to use a rearranged Premiership match to complete a ban which would have ruled him out of the Carling Cup final. The Latics meet Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium on 26 February, and have brought forward their league match with Tottenham as a consequence.
The match will be played on 18 February - seven days earlier than scheduled.
And it will serve as the third game of Roberts' suspension, which came after his dismissal against Everton.
Roberts was sent off for violent conduct after elbowing Toffees skipper David Weir in Tuesday's 1-1 draw.
The Latics striker told BBC Sport that the clash was accidental.
He said: "I've seen the incident on TV and I have to admit there was contact. But I really did not try to hurt him, my eyes were on the ball."
Manager Paul Jewell also believes the contact was unintentional, but has delivered a warning for his 13-goal leading striker.
Jewell said: "If somebody as big and as strong as Jason wants to elbow you, you don't get up.
"I have seen it and his elbow was high, but I think it's more silly than malicious.
"He is not a malicious type of player, although he does play with his hands in the air sometimes.
"Yet it could cost him a place in the cup final - and how tragic would that be?
"What I am saying is, what happens if someone comes in and scores a hat-trick in each game between now and then?
"No one player in this club is guaranteed their place."
Everton captain Weir said: "I just got caught on the jaw. That's all I know.
"I've not seen it on TV so I can't comment whether it was accidental or not.
"But it doesn't matter to me whether it was accidental, he has caught me and
that's the end of the story as far as I'm concerned."
MMIX
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews 