Dave Whelan believes Wigan and Steve Bruce are a marriage made in heaven - The Latics are determined to woo Birmingham's boss and Whelan believes Bruce is more than willing to offer his hand.

Wigan identified Bruce as their number-one choice to succeed the sacked Chris Hutchings after Paul Jewell ruled himself out of a return to the club.

Whelan wrote in his column for the Manchester Evening News: "If I can manage to have Steve Bruce released by Birmingham City, I will back him to the hilt at Wigan, just as I did Paul Jewell, because he is the man we need right now.

"Wigan must again become the club they were when we came into the Premiership and Steve Bruce has the ability, the experience and determination to take the club forward again.

"Steve wants a new challenge, he wants to come to Wigan and we can provide him with that. "If he does come here, a lot of uncertainty in his life right now will be taken away. "By this, I mean the tough position he's been in at Birmingham amid a possible takeover by the Chinese. "In a month's time, he could well be out of a job, but we want him at Wigan. He can instil determination, the kind that has been associated with Wigan."