Wigan boss Steve Bruce concedes he faces a difficult decision over whether to sell in the New Year or retain the services of strikers Emile Heskey and Amr Zaki. "That it is the problem we have always got to contend with. I will do my utmost, the last thing I want to do is dismantle what we have put together.

"We have some players nearing the end of their contracts. The honest answer is that we will do everything we possibly can to keep hold of them.

"If we get a really fantastic offer then we might have to think about it. It is a big decision. Do we gamble and cash-in? Or do we keep them until end of the season to make sure we are safe in the Premier League?"