James Norwood's chances of facing former club Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup are up in the air, after the striker was left out of last weekend's squad.

Last season's top scorer was omitted from the 18 picked to face Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday, having been on the bench for four of the previous five games.

Norwood had missed the defeat at home to Solihull Moors earlier this month with a calf strain, returning for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round win over Halifax Town after a scan revealed no muscle damage.

The 34-year-old was a late replacement for Mike Fondop in that tie, with the overall form of Fondop having kept Norwood out of the starting XI since late September.

There had been some suggestion among supporters that Norwood was being preserved ahead of the cup clash against his old club, where he won back-to-back promotions and enjoyed a 32-goal season in his last at Prenton Park in 2019/20, putting him on a par with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero that year.

However, manager Micky Mellon said Norwood's absence on their return to Boundary Park after two tough away games was a personnel decision, rather than influenced by injury or any other factor.

"We picked a team that we believed, within a squad of players, would get us a result and thankfully it did," said Mellon of the striker's whereabouts.

Asked if there was a problem with Norwood, Mellon said: "No. I just didn't pick him."

It meant that, with Alex Reid on loan at Wealdstone - where he was again on the scoresheet at the weekend to make it five goals in four appearances since his switch, Latics did not have a striker on the bench on Saturday, and were again reliant on Fondop.

Last season's loanee Josh Stones was watching from the stands, fuelling speculation about a possible return.

Kai Payne is not available for play for Latics in the FA CupKai Payne is not available for play for Latics in the FA Cup (Image: Phill Smith)

Oldham remain in talks with Wigan Athletic about a reunion, but any movement on that front is unlikely before FA Cup first round weekend, with current Wigan loanee Kai Payne not eligible to play for Latics this weekend having not been given permission to play by his parent club.

Joe Garner could, however, but in contention for Saturday's cup clash at Tranmere (kick-off 3pm).

The striker has missed the last three league games after picking up a knock in training following the Solihull game and was set to return to training this week.

However, the other three absentees have been described by manager Mellon as "long term".

Shaun Hobson is recovering from a broken foot, Harry Charsley has been sidelined by a groin injury, while Callum Dolan has not been involved in the squad this month.

The trio are not expected back imminently, but Mellon was hopeful that Garner could have some involvement in the FA Cup first round.

"All the long-terms are all long-term," said the Latics boss.

"Joe Garner will maybe join us this week on the grass. He's got an ankle problem. He rolled it in training a couple of weeks ago but he might have a chance for the weekend."