Chris Powell says he’s under no illusion as to the importance of the trip to Wigan Athletic.

Huddersfield Town head across the Pennines in 17th place in the Championship, 10 points ahead of the second-bottom Lancastrians.

And the manager is eager to stretch the gap to 13 with a first away win in nine attempts.

Powell’s opposite number Malky Mackay is desperate for a second win in his 10th game at the helm.

That makes for a spicy showdown at the DW Stadium, where Town have lost on each of their three previous visits.

“It’s a big game, and obviously we want to keep Wigan as far below us as possible,” said Powell, who is chasing a third win in four league games.

“We will go there in good heart after a positive performance at Middlesbrough, despite the result (a 2-0 defeat).

“As ever we are working hard on getting our preparation right, and we feel we can go there and get something.

“There’s been a lot of change at Wigan this season, but Malky, who is someone I know well, is working hard to get them out of the situation they are in.

“Wigan have quality, so we must show our quality.

“We have an important run of games, with Leeds United coming to our ground (January 31) before we go to Millwall (February 7).

“It’s important that we perform well at Wigan.”

Powell, who could hand a debut to versatile on-loan Birmingham City man David Edgar, will be without striker James Vaughan, who suffered a fractured eye socket and cheekbone against Boro.

And midfielder Jonathan Hogg is a doubt because of a thigh injury picked up in the same match.

Centre-back Murray Wallace and frontman Harry Bunn are on the road back to full fitness after hamstring trouble.

The pair have both trained this week.

Wigan have sought-after midfielder Callum McManaman back from suspension.

The 23-year-old former Everton player is a target of West Bromwich Albion.

And keeper Ali Al Habsi has returned from Asia Cup duty with Oman.

But Spanish defender Ivan Ramis has been ruled out for a month with ankle trouble.

Striker Grant Holt has had surgery on the knee injury sustained while on loan at Town.