Source: Eurosport
Bruce gives credit to returning Zaki
Amr Zaki returns from the wilderness to the Wigan squad at Blackburn on Sunday and Steve Bruce has backed the Egyptian to come good again.Zaki felt the wrath of his manager last month after reporting back late from international duty for the fourth time this term, but has been welcomed in from the cold after performing well in training this week.Wigan's top scorer is without a goal in open play since last October's brace at Liverpool, but is set for a place on the bench at Ewood Park after fully recovering from a hamstring problem.Bruce, who admitted to being at the end of his tether with Zaki's most recent indiscretion, says the small size of his squad played a part in him forgiving the player but insists the slate has been wiped clean ahead of the final six games of the campaign."It was a huge problem for a club like ours because we haven't got six centre forwards which would allow us to let him stay in Egypt," Bruce said."It was a big disappointment for us, of course it was, but it's over and done with now and the one thing I will do is give credit where it's due."He has trained like Zaki again this week and whether that's because the sun's come out I don't know, but it's a factor."I'm not being funny because he struggled with the winter and the conditions over here compared to what he's used to."Added to that there were a few personal issues that will not be made public, and we did have a big problem on our hands."But, to be fair to him, he has trained extremely well and he will be involved at the weekend because I can't and I won't deplete the team by losing another centre forward."If I was to leave him out completely I would be cutting my nose off to spite my face. We haven't got enough players to do that."Bruce, who has Lee Cattermole back after suspension and Charles N'Zogbia fit again after a knee problem, takes his side to Ewood Park still harbouring an outside chance of a spot in next season's Europa League.Opponents Blackburn, of course, are deep in the relegation dogfight - a position Wigan have experienced more than once since winning promotion back in 2005 - and Bruce revealed his admiration for the way the managers near the foot of the table have conducted themselves with so much at stake."When you are down there in that position, you really earn your money," he added."When it hits the fan you see the good managers in the Premier League stand up to be counted."That's what you get a job in the Premier League for, when all around you is madness, you have got to keep your head and you have got to keep focused and remain positive."It's easy to beat yourself up in the Premier League, and I think all the managers have handled themselves with huge respect and dignity."We haven't seen any big rants or raves, nobody has cracked up, even though they have all worked extremely hard to become a Premier League manager and the last thing they want to do is drop out of it."We know how hard it is to be in that position because this club has been in that position for the past two seasons and managed to survive."I know how Blackburn will be feeling and there will be an intensity about Sunday. They will be looking at the game and thinking it is a good time for them to get Wigan."I know the philosophy involved and it all bears well for a decent game. I just hope we can compete, which we will have to do, and get a result that we desperately need as well."[LNB]
