Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce slammed last week's international fixtures after defeat to Portsmouth.

He said: "On Friday we had four players, Valencia, King, Boyce and Palacios flying into Gatwick Airport from what I call Micky Mouse testimonials all around the world. That's what upsets me most with these internationals.

"Surely at this time of year a bit more common-sense should be shown with the scheduling.

"We've got four games out of six left at home, though, and I think a couple of wins will see us all right. The Bolton result was a big one for us today, Reading only drew and Derby have gone down.

"But we've got Birmingham next week and that's a vital one. I think 35 points might keep a team up this season.

"There have been eight or nine of us slugging away at the bottom since I went back to Wigan from Birmingham when we had about eight points but we gave it everything today - apart from the finishing."