WIGAN Athletic's 13-goal leading scorer Jason Roberts elbowed himself out of Saturday's Reebok derby with Wanderers after collecting a red card in a tempestuous clash with Everton on Tuesday night.

There were no excuses for the 28-year-old after he elbowed Toffees skipper David Weir in the face seven minutes from time as the 1-1 JJB Stadium encounter ended in explosive fashion.

That came just three minutes after Everton striker Duncan Ferguson had also been shown a red card by referee Mike Dean for punching Paul Scharner in the stomach.

However, Roberts can breathe can breath a sigh of relief after Spurs agreed to the rearrangement of their forthcoming Premier League game with Paul Jewell's side which means he will be available for the Carling Cup Final against Manchester United.

The White Hart Lane clash was due to be played on February 25, but with the Latics now meeting United in Cardiff the following day, it left both clubs searching for a new date in the calendar.

That was made easier when Wigan were knocked out of the FA Cup five days ago, leaving fifth-round weekend of the 18th and 19th available for the two sides as Tottenham exited at the third-round stage.

It means Roberts will now complete a three-match suspension against Martin Jol's team, rather than the final, following his sending off for violent conduct.

But Roberts, despite the fact he is Wigan's leading scorer this season with 13 goals, has however been warned by manager Paul Jewell there are no guarantees he will go straight back into the side for the final.

Jewell said: "I didn't see the first incident (involving Ferguson) so I can't comment on that.

"But if somebody as big and as strong as Jason wants to elbow you, you don't get up.

"I have seen it and his elbow was high, but I think it's more silly than malicious.

"He is not a malicious type of player, although he does play with his hands in the air sometimes.

"Yet it could cost him a place in the cup final and how tragic would that be.

"What I am saying is what happens if someone comes in and scores a hat-trick in each game between now and then?

"No one player in this club is guaranteed their place."

With Jewell arguing no malice on Roberts' part, the same cannot be said for Ferguson's right hook to Scharner's midriff, a blow that felled the Austria international.

Boss David Moyes was virtually rendered speechless by the stupidity of the Scot, and stated: "I cannot defend it.

"I didn't get a clear view at the time. Everybody was running out of the box and we (Moyes and his coaching staff) had turned away.

"I spoke to Chris Hutchings (Wigan assistant manager) and we thought that the two players had run into each other, but I've had a chance to see it since.

"I have spoken to Duncan and told him I cannot defend what he did. I was disappointed in him. He let us down and he knows it."

As for the football, Everton grabbed a ninth-minute lead when Wigan midfielder David Thompson inadvertently toe-poked home a Tim Cahill shot that had ricocheted off defender Stephane Henchoz.

Although Moyes' side controlled the remainder of the first half, the Latics grabbed a 45th-minute equaliser when Scharner sidefooted home a Pascal Chimbonda knock-down.

The point, only Wigan's second league draw of the season, enabled them to move up to fifth, while Everton are now 11 points clear of the bottom three.