By Harry Reekie

The pitch caused Wigan and Spurs problems in their match on Sunday

Wigan have confirmed that the pitch at the DW Stadium will be dug up and relaid at the end of the month.

The surface has cut up badly in recent weeks and hampered both teams during Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Tottenham.

Latics manager Roberto Martinez recently admitted the pitch was becoming a problem and the club have opted to take decisive action.

A club spokesman told BBC Sport: "The pitch will be relayed over the coming weeks. We're dealing with the problem."

Heavy snow, a broken undersoil heating system and the return to action of Wigan Warriors rugby league team have contributed to the decline of the surface.

Head groundsman Ian Forshaw and his staff will start work immediately after the Warriors' Super League game against Catalans Dragons on 26 February, making good use of football's international break.

Work will be carried out through the night in an effort to have the pitch ready for the next fixture at the stadium, when Liverpool visit on 8 March.

606: DEBATE I'm sick of opposition fans moaning about our pitch every February Sheikh_Mahand

Wigan Warriors played home games on consecutive Fridays - 5 and 12 Feb - leading up to the game against Spurs.

But the club spokesman was keen to play down any problems of sharing with a rugby side or of any rift between the two outfits.

"It's got absolutely nothing to do with the rugby league club," he added. "That's completely irrelevant.

"The relationship we have with Wigan Warriors is fine. We've been at this stadium for 11 years so it's hardly a new problem."

Wigan's only other Premier League game before the new pitch is put down is an away match at Birmingham on Saturday.

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