Returning Charlie Wyke sets up Wigan winner on return to football

Charlie Wyke set up 10-man Wigan’s winner on his first appearance since suffering a cardiac arrest last year as the Latics beat Birmingham 1-0.

The striker had not played in a competitive fixture since he collapsed in training on November 22.

But he made an quick impact at St Andrew’s on Saturday as he set up fellow substitute Nathan Broadhead’s 82nd-minute strike that earned Wigan their first win of the season.

Wigan had been playing with 10 men since Joe Bennett was sent off in the 10th minute but they held kept Birmingham out before clinching victory late on.

Leam Richardson’s men had drawn all three of their league games so far this season and they again highlighted that they are hard to beat.

John Eustace’s hosts made a promising start, with Przemyslaw Placheta firing over before Lukas Jutkiewicz – brought into the starting line-up in place of Troy Deeney – was involved in the first big talking point.

Juninho Bacuna threaded a first-time through ball into the former Burnley striker’s path and, as Jutkiewicz prepared to race clear on goal, he was adjudged to have been clipped by Bennett, who was shown a straight red card.

Bacuna curled the resulting free-kick narrowly wide.

The Blues looked to make their advantage tell and Scott Hogan saw an effort blocked by Jack Whatmough before the visitors went agonisingly close themselves as Tom Naylor fired just wide from inside the penalty area.

In a lively spell, Auston Trusty’s inviting ball reached Hogan at the far post but, sliding in at full stretch, he could only divert his effort over the crossbar while Jordan James bent a shot wide of Jamie Jones’ left post.

As the half went on, Blues struggled to create chances and Wigan grew in confidence, with Will Keane seeing an