Emile Heskey is backing new Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce to lead the club to Premiership safety.

"He's a confident manager," said Heskey. "He's dealt with relegation dogfights before so hopefully we can scrape through.

"He's made a few changes, every coach has his own training methods, and the lads have taken to it well.

"Confidence was at a low, as it would be with any team after losing nine in a row, but him coming in and bringing his ideas have just perked everyone up. We're confident we can do it.

"There's so many teams down there that are one or two losses away from getting dragged into it."

Bruce began his second spell at the JJB Stadium at home to high-flying Manchester City on Saturday and although Titus Bramble gifted City a first-minute lead, Wigan made a positive response to earn a 1-1 draw.

That result has boosted morale amongst the Latics' squad and Heskey feels Bruce's arrival has already had a big impact.

"He's only had one game in charge and it was brilliant," he said. "We made a bit of a shaky start, but he's going to instil a lot of belief in us.

"I think we're getting our confidence back and you've got to be confident you can stay in this league because if you're not, it's no use actually going out there and playing.

"The lads are bound to have a new lease of life when a new manager comes in because they want to impress and it's been something new for us."