Wigan Athletic have confirmed they've approached Birmingham City for permission to speak with manager Steve Bruce.

Whelan confirmed he is now waiting for a response from Birmingham and told BBC Radio Five Live: "Steve Bruce has worked with me before, he was with me at Wigan five or six years ago for two months and did a super job then.

"I know there is a bit of a situation at Birmingham where the Chinese people are supposed to be taking over, they will not give Steve Bruce an answer (and) they will not extend his contract which is running out, so obviously he was a candidate for us."

"It all depends on Birmingham City, if they give us permission we will talk to him.

"Obviously if Birmingham say 'sorry, you can't speak to him' then he is under contract to them and we would have to abide by that."