Hodgson is ready to step up his bid to recruit Kitson after losing the services of Diomansy Kamara for the next six months.

Kamara will undergo reconstructive surgery on Friday after rupturing a cruciate ligament playing for Senegal against Liberia last month.

Wigan only scored 34 goals in 38 Premier League goals last season, and both Marcus Bent and Julius Aghahowa have already been offloaded as Bruce makes room for new recruits at The JJB.