Mick Tait last night assured Ian Clark that he is still part of his plans despite the arrival of Blackburn Rovers winger Alan Morgan.

The Quakers' boss yesterday completed the signing of Rovers' reserve Morgan on a month's loan and the 20-year-old goes straight into the side for this afternoon's visit of Bristol Rovers.

Morgan, a left-sided player, is expected to start in the position Clark has occupied in the absence of injured winger Neil Wainwright this season.

Despite a return of three goals in his last five appearances, Clark is likely to make way on the left for the Edinburgh-born playmaker.

However, Tait has refused to rule out the possibility of handing Clark a new role today as Quakers aim to return to winning ways following last week's 3-1 defeat at Mansfield.

"Clarky can play in a number of positions so there's no reason to assume he won't be starting," said Tait.

The former Hartlepool man can also play as a left-back or as a striker, with the latter a more likely option, should Clark start.

"He seems to get a chance in every game and when he's confident he will put them away," said Tait "You know when Clarky's in the mood he'll get goals for you."

The arrival of Morgan is welcome news for Tait, with injuries and suspensions eating into his already sparse squad.

Gary Pearson and Danny Mellanby are banned today, with Wainwright (ankle), Glen Robson (hamstring) and Andy Collett (punctured lung) already ruled out.

"I just thought we needed a little boost in that area and hopefully Alan can give us that," said Tait.

"He's a big, strong lad who can play anywhere down the left and he crosses a good ball."

Tait believes the signing of Morgan, who has never appeared in Rovers' first-team, will suit all parties.

"He's struggled to break into the first-team and has played most of his football in the reserves," said Tait.

"He needs a new challenge and we've decided to give him that.

"You can play in the reserves week after week but if you're not going to get a break in the first-team and get a few chances then you might go a little bit stale.

"It's a good move for everybody."

Morgan is not the first player Quakers have had on loan from Ewood Park.

Last season Jim Corbett enjoyed a successful two-month spell at Feethams before moving to Southend during the summer.

And in 2000, Ashington-born defender Martin Taylor impressed on loan from Rovers.

Tait is also understood to have made enquiries for at least two other targets but with negotiations at an early stage, he is keen to keep their identity under wraps.

"We have one or two names in mind but nothing concrete yet," said Tait.

"There are one two things on-going that we are trying to do."

Last week's 3-1 defeat at Mansfield brought Quakers' six-match unbeaten run to an end.

And against a Rovers side which has lost four of its last five games, including a 5-1 drubbing at Doncaster last week, Quakers fans will be expecting maximum points this afternoon.

However, Tait is keen to take a more cautious approach and believes Ray Graydon's men, who had Graham Hyde sent off after just 24 minutes in last week's defeat at Belle Vue, will not be as easy to beat as some fans are making out.

"We've got to bear in mind that they only had ten men last week when they lost," said Tait.

"It was hard for them to play with a player down for most of the game so we won't be reading too much into that.

"They'll be up for it just as much as our lads will be wanting to put things right after last week."

Ghanaian striker Junior Agogo, a £110,000 summer capture from Barnet, underwent surgery on a knee injury on Thursday and was not fit enough to travel with the rest of the squad yesterday.

Defender Ijah Anderson remains doubtful for the visitors with a hip injury.

But Rovers boss Graydon is able to welcome back Andy Rammell, Adam Barrett and Wayne Carlisle from injury.

l Defender Matt Jackson is confident Wigan can keep pace with the First Division's high-fliers this season, writes Andy Hampson.

Promoted Athletic have made a superb start to their campaign and can regain top spot with victory at Derby today.

Wigan feature in one of only three First Division games this weekend due to international call-ups and Jackson and his team-mates hope to take advantage.

The centre-half said: ''We set ourselves very high standards here and it has been pleasing to reach those.

''At the start of the season we hadn't strengthened the squad at all and that caused a few people to raise their eyebrows.

''But the manager and chairman stressed they would only bring in players of the right quality.

''They've now done that with Geoff Horsfield and he has been a big boost for us all.

''The manager is trying to bring in more new signings, and he tries to fit them in with who is already here.''

Wigan have striker Lee McCulloch back in contention after the 25-year-old Scot was forced to miss the Latics' last two matches with concussion.

But boss Paul Jewell will be without Neil Roberts and Peter Kennedy, who are on international duty with Wales and Northern Ireland respectively. Kennedy would have missed the match anyway due to a one-match suspension.

Defender Paul Mitchell is doubtful following illness and midfielder Mike Flynn is struggling with a knee injury.

The match is the first of six inside three weeks for Wigan and Derby are also similarly tested with five games coming up in 15 days.

Rams boss George Burley is likely to be without Swedish international Mathias Svensson due to an ankle injury but is otherwise keeping his cards close to his chest.

''We'll see who's available on the day and adjust our tactics accordingly - it's too early to say yet,'' Burley said.

''Unfortunately, Mathias Svensson's ankle is badly swollen and he looks very doubtful but we'll leave a final decision on him as late as possible. There is better news for Lee Morris, his hamstring has settled down and we're hopeful."

Read more about the Quakers here.