Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce has dismissed reports of a blow-up with defender Paul Scharner.

He told the Wigan Observer: "I've seen Scharner's comments coming from somewhere, and I'll try and put that right. I've had no fall-out with him at all.

"He goes off on tangents sometimes as players do.

"But the fact it that he played against West Ham, struggled with an ankle injury, and (Emmerson) Boyce and (Titus) Bramble played out of their skins against Chelsea and Hull.

"There's been no fall-out at all. I tried with the previous manager to get him in that squad, because I wanted him to go and play in the European Championships. I tried my utmost to make that happen with Josef Hickersberger.

"I haven't fallen out with him because of it (the injury).

"It was simply the fact that the form of Bramble and Boyce was exceptional and I couldn't change the team. That's all it was.

"As far as a fall-out goes, no chance. My job is about the team and the club and to pick what I think will get us a result."