Wigan captain Mario Melchiot admits he has been inspired by the form of England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland during the club's recent revival.The Latics travel to Blackburn on Saturday on the back of a four-match unbeaten run, which propelled them to 12th in the Premier League, six points clear of the bottom three.

Steve Bruce's men also managed to keep a clean sheet in each of those four games, with Kirkland superb in last week's crucial 1-0 win against Bolton and the goalless draw against Arsenal.

Kirkland's form has not gone unnoticed by England coach Fabio Capello, who has kept the former Liverpool and Coventry goalkeeper in his squad to face France next Wednesday, and Melchiot believes Kirkland has now proved he is international class.

Having overcome his injury problems, the 26-year-old is fulfilling his potential, which Melchiot sees as the foundation of the new-found stability in Wigan's defence.

"It's very important (to have a good goalkeeper behind you)," he said. "People talk about the back four but the defence is probably five people, including the goalie.

"In the last two games, the great saves he made for us have made a hell of a difference, and that's why he's in the England squad.

"If you play for your country, you have to make a difference. I think at the moment he's doing that for us and I'm very happy for that.

"The most important thing is that when you have a good goalie, it makes you feel comfortable knowing that you don't have to worry about what you've got behind you," Melchiot added.

"I think that's the biggest secret for any defender, and he's definitely doing that for me - I feel really at ease because I know he's behind me.

"Maybe the saves that he's been making have been on a different level to what you'd expect - but that's his ability and that's why he's so good."

Wigan's run of clean sheets has also coincided with the arrival of Swedish left-back Erik Edman, whose debut was delayed after joining from Rennes during the January transfer window.

Manager Steve Bruce now seems to have found a reliable back four in Melchiot, Paul Scharner, Emmerson Boyce and Edman, naming the same defence for the last four games.

"I think we look more comfortable and the understanding is starting to work out," said Melchiot.

"Every one of us understands what we need to do and the communication is very good at the moment.

"It makes a hell of a difference," he added.

"I think the only teams playing like that, with those attributes in their team, are the top four or five.

"People now know it's not easy to score against us and I think when you're down there, that's the thing that you really need to have."

Despite winning three of their last four home games, Wigan have still only won one league game away this season.

The Latics must now travel to European hopefuls Blackburn and Portsmouth, although Melchiot believes anything can happen given so many teams have so much at stake this season.

"They're going to be really tough games for us," he said. "Blackburn lost their last game so they'll want to bounce back in front of their own crowd and they're trying to push for Europe.

"Portsmouth got some new players in and they've been on a great run - but it doesn't really matter.

"At the moment the Premier League is so close and so exciting and it's been like that all season.

"Whether you're watching the teams going for the title, the guys going for a Champions League or UEFA Cup spot, or the people fighting against relegation - it's all the same, it's all so close."

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