KEITH Curle is expecting to know today whether he will have more players available for tomorrow night's Carabao Cup tie with Tranmere Rovers.

Seven first team players were absent for Saturday's opening day League Two clash with Newport County, including five due to Covid protocols.

Unnamed players have tested positive for coronavirus, while others have had to isolate due to being close contacts.

That left Curle down the bare bones against the Exiles, when Latics slipped to a late 1-0 defeat.

But while the head coach is hopeful of having more players at his disposal, he insists he will be guided by the individuals.

"I've been reading through the Covid protocol and for players returning to training it's recommended 17 days - 10 days isolation and then another seven days' return to training protocol making sure the respiratory issues are cleared.

"It's difficult to take but I think every individual case is different as well. You are guided by the players."

Curle is also hopeful that other administrative issues will also be resolved in time for the League Cup clash.

"I'm hoping that on Monday some of the registrations issues may change and we'll be able to get some of those players on the team sheet and available," he added.

"Depending on how the phonecalls go to the players who have been off with Covid, we'll find out how they're feeling and can we get them in training on Monday and check on their availability.

"Any team that loses six or seven players out of their first team squad on the first game of the season it's going to be a stretch for them."