ALI Al-Habsi says his heart will be with Wanderers when they look to beat the survival odds on Sunday.

The Oman international goalkeeper will be turning out at the DW Stadium for Wigan Athletic this weekend, having helped the Latics stage a miraculous recovery of their own to guarantee their Premier League status.

But he will also be rooting for his former team-mates, who must win at Stoke and hope QPR lose against Manchester City to ensure Premier League football again next season.

It is familiar territory for Al-Habsi, who played a blinder as Wigan stayed up on the final day last year at the Britannia Stadium.

And the popular keeper – who still lives in Bolton – has passed on a message of support for the Potteries-bound Wanderers ahead of their most important game in a decade.

“Stoke is a hard game for anyone but with the experience of Kevin Davies and a lot of the lads, Bolton can do exactly what we did,” he told The Bolton News. “I really think they can make it.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a big team or a small team, Stoke are strong.

“When we went there last year we had to think about nothing else but getting three points.

“You have to forget about the table, forget about the fans or the pressure. You just need to win.”

Al-Habsi has gone on to become a terrace favourite with Wigan after spending three-and-a-half years at the Reebok. He left for £4million last summer, leaving behind his long-time competitor Jussi Jaaskelainen as the regular Wanderers number one.

But the Big Finn’s position was quickly put under pressure by the rapidly-improving Adam Bogdan, who has gone on to make great strides with an unbroken run in the first team since the turn of the year when Jaaskelainen picked up a thigh strain.

“I am so happy for him because he has been brilliant since Jussi was injured,” he said.

“Owen Coyle gave him the chance to prove himself and he has become more confident and his goalkeeping skills are better.

“But Sunday will be the game of his life.

“He needs to keep his concentration and his focus because Stoke will be doing their best to make it difficult for Adam and the defence.”