Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce remains confident of hanging onto Liverpool and Aston Villa target Emile Heskey.

Bruce said: "It's frustrating that he's in the best nick of his life but he's running out of contract. Next season is vital for him. For me, the big thing Emile will have on his mind is: can he be in this condition in 18 months' time to go to the World Cup?

"That would be a real way to go out on his international career. To do that, why not stay here?

"It's got him plenty of goals, got him back in the international team, and he's settled, his family's settled, so we're in pole position."