Wigan Athletic centre back Danny Fox is set to be out until the turn of the year with a groin injury, manager Paul Cook has revealed.

Fox, who joined the Latics from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest in January, has made six league appearances this season, but was absent from his side's 2-1 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to Wigan Today after that defeat, Cook was asked about the reason behind Fox's absence, with the Wigan manager revealing: "Danny's out for seven weeks.

"He's had an operation on his groin."

It was a stoppage-time winner from Potters substitute Mame Biram Diouf that denied Wigan a point at the Bet365 Stadium, and it seems Cook feels that the absence of Fox was something of a contributing factor to that.

Reflecting on the late goal his side conceded, the Wigan boss claimed: "Can Chey Dunkley and Charlie Mulgrew play any better than that? They can't.

"We did not have another centre-half on the bench. That's the brutal reality of life in this division. We're without Danny Fox through injury and Cedric Kipre through suspension.

"When Stoke bring on (Mame) Diouf and (Sam) Vokes, you'd be looking to put on a third centre-half. But we just didn't have one!"

Following that defeat, Wigan - who are still without an away win in the league this season - are now 20th in the Championship standings, and only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

The Latics are next in action on Tuesday night when they face another away trip, this time to The Den to take on Millwall.

The Verdict

This is a big blow for Wigan.

Fox has been impressive for the Latics since his move to the DW Stadium at the start of this year, and I have been somewhat surprised not to have seen him given more time during the current campaign.

That however has now been taken out of their hands, and you feel this means Wigan are walking a bit of tightrope when it comes to their options in defence over the next few weeks, particularly when you consider the injury record of someone such as Charlie Mulgrew over the past few years.

Given their current precarious position in the Championship standings, this is certainly a problem that Cook and his side could have done without.