Wigan Athletic have named their starting XI for the Carabao Cup First Round tie against Barnsley at Oakwell. The match marks the first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 season for Caldwell's side.
Three players make their competitive debuts for Latics in the fixture: Joe Walsh, Connor Barrett and Sonny Perkins. Several other summer arrivals — Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Archie Harris and Akeel Higgins — are in contention from the substitutes' bench.
Max Power returns for his third spell at the club and will captain the side. The squad has completed an intense pre-season programme featuring fixtures against Port Vale, AFC Fylde, Southport and Grimsby Town.
Teams
Wigan Athletic: Walsh, Carragher, Fox, Mellish, Weir, Power (Captain), Barrett, Murray, Costelloe, Sze, Perkins. Substitutes: Watson, Chilokoa-Mullen, Chapman, K.Miller, Bolland, Harris, Rimmer, Brenan, Higgins.
Barnsley: Ravenhill, Kay, Gayle, McGeehan (Captain), Kirk, Richards, Cleary, Kelly, Earl, Alker, Connell. Substitutes: Andrassy, Shepherd, O'Keefe, Bland, Town, Hudson, Saunders.
