Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce feels for goalkeeper Chris Kirkland over his back problems.

"We hope he could be in contention for Saturday. He tweaked it (his back) a week ago," he said.

"It is a shame because he is England's best goalkeeper and if he did not have a bad back he would be a regular in the England side.

"Unfortunately that is why he is playing with Wigan and not Liverpool, if the truth be known."