Wigan manager Steve Bruce has admitted that the club can be used as a stepping stone for young players wanting to showcase their talents in the Premier League before attracting larger clubs.

Bruce has spoken of the way he sold the Latics to signings Wilson Palacios (now at Tottenham) and Ben Watson, saying they could use the JJB Stadium as a place to improve their game to potentially move on to more successful clubs.

"You'll have to ask Ben the exact reasons he chose us over Middlesbrough, but our position in the league obviously had a bearing," said Bruce.

"We sold him the club the same way we did to Wilson Palacios the year before.

"Here was his chance to come and play in the Premier League and prove himself at this level of football.

"We always try to sell the club to potential signings by offering them the chance to show their talents here and then move on.

"It's sad when the time comes for a player to move on, but I think our supporters understand how we have to work.

"I would have loved to have kept Wilson but it just wasn't possible when we got the bid from Tottenham."