Steve Bruce insists he will not be distracted by events elsewhere on Saturday as his Wigan side aim to secure Premier League survival.Latics are at home to Reading, who are just one point above the relegation zone, while third-bottom Birmingham host Liverpool as the battle to beat the drop intensifies.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is set to field an under-strength line-up with the game sandwiched between his side's two-legged Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.
But Wigan know victory at the JJB Stadium will confirm their top-flight status for at least another season and manager Bruce is determined to make Birmingham's result immaterial.
"If you engross yourself in that then it takes you over so the only thing I try to focus on is what I can influence," he said.
"I can't influence other managers and who they're going to pick, but I think the honesty in the Premier League is there for everybody to see and that's why I think we've got the most difficult league.
"Whichever team anybody puts out, whether they've got a Champions League semi-final or not, you've got to respect that and I fully understand.
"I always hope to get the big teams on a Saturday after they've played in Europe for instance, that's always an advantage. Sometimes you get the luck of the draw and win a couple of games like that.
"But there was an unbelievable difference in the Liverpool team last week that went down to Fulham and they still won 2-0.
"So I'm just concentrating on what we can do, and if we win on Saturday, it doesn't matter a jot what anybody else does. It's a chance to go to 39 points and if we get there, we're safe."
Wigan's survival push has been founded on victories over three of their relegation rivals in the last two months.
And although Reading are also in the mire after losing their last three games, Bruce has warned against complacency.
"They're fighting for their lives," he said. "These games are often harder because of what's at stake.
"What we've done particularly well since the turn of the year is beat Bolton, Derby and Birmingham at home.
"Thankfully, we've managed to get a few results, but they have been close affairs which have been nip and tuck and very difficult, and I don't expect this to be any different."
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