Wigan Athletic v Huddersfield Town: James McClean v Mark Hudson and other key battles which could decide this weekend's game

Huddersfield Town head to Wigan Athletic tomorrow looking to finally secure three points away from home which could go a long way towards securing their Championship survival.

A win over Malky Mackay's second-bottom side would put clear breathing space between the two sides and move Town some 13 points clear of the Latics.

They come into the game off the back of yet another defeat, this time at Middlesbrough, but a spirited second-half showing has given fans cause for optimism ahead of the trip to the DW Stadium.

Here are the three battles which could decide the meeting between the two teams as Town go in search of a first win since the 3-1 success at Wolves three months ago.

Leon Barnett v Nahki Wells

Barnett will be one of the most experienced members of the backline unless captain Emmerson Boyce is restored to the lineup and he will most likely team up with Liam Ridgewell at the heart of the backline once more.

He has not always been an automatic selection at the back this season but with Ridgewell still bedding in after his switch from MLS outfit Portland Timbers, he will be expected to foil Town livewire Wells.

The Bermudian was unlucky to strike a post last week at Boro and was simply unstoppable the previous week in a 3-1 win over Watford.

He will most likely have to lead the line on his own this week, however, with James Vaughan ruled out with the facial injury suffered in that Teesside defeat unless manager Chris Powell tinkers with the attacking side of his starting lineup.

Either way, the Latics rearguard will have to be on their watch to stop one of Town's most in-form players of late.

James Perch v Harry Bunn

Boyce's potential presence in the side may yet impact on where Perch lines up on Saturday and, thus, whether or not this possible battle becomes a reality.

The Wigan skipper could come in at right-back to allow Perch to occupy the space made by Ben Watson's departure to Watford, although if Emyr Huws comes into the expected midfield diamond, then it is likely the 29-year-old will line up on the right-hand side of the back four.

He has quietly proven one of the club's most efficient and consistent performers this term having chipped in with two goals to make him the Latics' joint-second top scorer alongside a cluster of other names.

He will be expected to provide width to the formation on the right but he will have his work cut out against the returning Bunn, who will be keen to make an impact after a stop-start couple of months following a blistering start to the campaign.

It is worth remembering, though, that he is Town's second top goalscorer behind Wells and will have to help provide the ammunition for the central striker to thrive on his own down the middle.

James McClean v Mark Hudson

Probably the key battle of all is between Wigan's best player currently and Town's skipper, who has recovered from some shaky form since the return of central defensive partner Joel Lynch alongside him.

He dealt well with the likes of Troy Deeney and Matej Vydra of Watford and Kike was quiet during the defeat at Boro, but he will face a different type of forward in McClean, who is ostensibly a wideman.

The Irishman lives up to that reputation by often drifting wide to get on the ball and get at his marker, so Tommy Smith will also be key here, as will new signing David Edgar if he is handed a debut in defensive midfield as McClean can also drop deep behind Martyn Waghorn.

He is the Latics' top scorer with five - three of which have come in his last five outings - and he is also his side's top creator (5) with three of those coming recently as he has steadily picked up form.

And in a side expected to be shorn of wantaway wide duo Shaun Maloney and Callum McManaman, he will be the man Town simply have to stop, that will be primarily Hudson's task and if he completes it, a key threat in attack for the hosts will be nullified.