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Latics striker Nick Powell can give punters a run for their money

Keeping fit the key to goals glory

Nick Powell (left) is crucial to Wigan's chances
Nick Powell (left) is crucial to Wigan's chancesCredit: Daniel L Smith

It's no coincidence that Wigan are top of the division and Nick Powell is fit, and if the former Manchester United starlet can keep healthy the Latics are hard to dislike.

Injury-prone Powell has started 18 of Wigan’s 22 matches this season – he hasn’t made that number of starts in six years.

The fact that he’s been withdrawn in 16 of those appearances shows that he still struggles to see out 90 minutes but it’s clear that boss Paul Cook is managing his prized possession astutely.

Powell, the midfielder who can play out wide and up front, has responded with nine goals, five off the pace set by Peterborough’s Jack Marriott and looks a fair each-way bet at 25-1 to land Sky Bet League One top-scoring honours.

There are five players ahead of Powell in the scoring charts but not all of them will still be around at the end of January.

Pace-setter Marriott has perked up interest from Championship clubs as has Bradford’s Charlie Wyke, while Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy has made it clear he intends to recall 13-goal Kieffer Moore from Rotherham.

Brett Pitman, Portsmouth’s go-to goal machine, makes a worthy favourite, therefore, though another player to consider at even tastier odds is Josh Morris at Scunthorpe.

The wide man was a revelation last year for The Iron, banging in 19 goals to finish third on the final list. To prove that was no fluke, the set-piece specialist has already popped in seven this time round.

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