Steve Bruce is aiming to turn Wigan into a top ten Premier League club, providing the Latics can survive this term.

Wigan, who face a daunting trip to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday, are eight points clear of the relegation zone with five matches remaining.

If the club do survive, then next season will be the Latics' fourth consecutive term in the top flight, and Bruce has the aim of trying to push into the top ten.

He said: "Can you stay in year after year, get stronger, better and become an established Premier League club, taking away the fear of always being down the bottom end?

"The aim will be to establish ourselves, but can we get there because I've come unstuck before with Birmingham?

"The first couple of years were possibly the easiest, but in going into the third and fourth year you try and change the whole ethos of the club and your playing staff.

"That's difficult, so of course you have to be very, very careful, and to get into the top 10, that's even more difficult.

"Below the big four you have Tottenham, Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle, but that has to be our target.

"Blackburn have done it, as have Portsmouth, who have invested, bought well and Harry Redknapp has managed it.

"Now they're in the top six and in an FA Cup final, so it just shows what can be achieved."