Wigan boss Steve Bruce believes on-loan striker Amr Zaki has allowed talk of a possible move to a bigger club to affect his performances. The Egypt international scored 10 goals in 16 league matches which brought him to prominence, but since October a combination of form and injuries has meant a virtual goal drought.

"Our relationship is okay. The one thing I don't do in management is bear a grudge," said the Latics boss.

"But I am upset and disappointed with his behaviour and what happened because it does have a big effect on the dressing room.

"We haven't got umpteen forwards and I know what I would like to do with his behaviour - but it has not been possible so he is in the squad.

"At the end of the day he has not scored in open play since October, when he scored twice against Liverpool.

"Then he is supposed to be going to every club in Europe - Real Madrid at one stage - and I think the whole thing turned into a circus and it affected him.

"He has not been the same since. If he had kept his head down, kept working away and been the player he was at the start of the year, rather than being what he was at the moment, then everything would be hunky dory.

"I can't leave him out of the squad because we haven't got enough players."