The 25-year-old England international sustained the injury in training and will have the operation on Thursday.

"I am viewing this as a minor setback and just one of those strange injuries that happen from time to time," Kirkland told Wigan's website on Wednesday.

"I am not going to get down about it, that is for sure," the former Coventry and Liverpool keeper added

Wigan physiotherapist Alan Tomlinson said: "I don't like to put timescales in place because it can vary, depending upon how quickly the injury heals.

"That said it is a pretty straightforward procedure and I would envisage Chris will be playing within six weeks."

Wigan are currently five points clear of the Premiership relegation zone.