Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan admits he won't stand in Steve Bruce's way should Newcastle United come knocking.

After Saturday's 2-2 draw, Whelan said: "I don't want to Steve to go but, in the end, I suppose I will have let him. He has been linked with Newcastle in the past, he is from here, he loves Newcastle."

But while Whelan accepts Bruce will be tempted under such circumstances, he cannot see him touching the club in their current perilous state.

Whelan said: "This club desperately need success and the chairman who brings it would be a God and the manager would be a real Geordie icon. I hope it is not Steve Bruce, but I know he would never go near a football club who are not run properly. He won't come here and work with Mike Ashley. Steve wants a chairman who understands the game and does not expect too much, too soon."