Wigan boss Steve Bruce believes the past week in the Premier League served his side with a timely reminder that they remain in the top-flight survival scrap.

Bruce is hoping Wigan can bounce back from their defeat to Blackburn last weekend with three points away to Portsmouth on Saturday as they bid to avoid relegation.

Bruce acknowledges Wigan are not out of the woods yet as their defeat at Ewood Park was combined with victories for fellow strugglers Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Reading and Sunderland to drag his side towards the Championship.

"Three months ago we were at the bottom of that pile and at the moment we've given ourselves a good opportunity," said Bruce.

"But if we ever needed a reminder of how quickly things can change, last week was it.

"We lose, Newcastle win, Sunderland win at Aston Villa and Reading beat Birmingham, so all of a sudden there is three or four teams that are back level with us.

"Time's running out, but we've just got to maintain the accumulation of points which we've done over the last three months, and if we can do that, I'm sure we'll be okay."