Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce is expected to join Wigan Athletic today in a four-year deal worth £8 million.

Bruce, who has been on holiday in Dubai, held talks with Latics chairman Dave Whelan over replacing the sacked Chris Hutchings at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan will pay Bruce £2m a year and cough £3m compensation for the Geordie, who had a seven-week spell in the Latics hotseat six years ago.

Whelan said: "There is a clause in his Birmingham contract and we have to honour that. But if you are talking about paying £3m for a player or a manager of Steve's quality, I don't think you can argue."