Scharner has been out of action since the beginning of December

Scharner had been ever-present for Paul Jewell's side prior to the injury.

"It is a blow for us because we haven't got the biggest squad in the world, and now we've quite a few injuries," said the Latics boss.

After signing Swedish defender Andreas Granqvist on loan, Jewell says he still wants to add "another midfielder and at least one striker" to his squad.