Source: Daily_Mail
Bruce ended up laughing about my late shift, claims Wigan striker Zaki
Amr Zaki, Wigan's errant Egyptian striker, claims to have buried the hatchet with boss Steve Bruce after apologising for his fourth tardy return from international duty this season.
The 26-year-old reported back at the JJB on Thursday - 48 hours late - following the Pharaohs' disappointing 1-1 draw with Zambia.
'I clarified many things to Bruce. Heunderstood my reasons for staying in Egypt during the past week buttold me I should have returned immediately to England after the Zambiamatch,' said Zaki.
Ancient history: Zaki claims his spat with Bruce is in the past
'He wanted my hamstring injury to be assessed by Wigan medics. I apologised to him and we ended up laughing.
'I may return to training after a week. I'm determined to do my best in the remaining Premier League matches,' he told Al-Hayat TV.
'At the end of his tether': Bruce
Zaki and his agent, Nader Shawkey, met with Bruce and the club's chief executive Branda Spencer on Good Friday.
Spencer told the club's official website: 'He said the reason for his behaviour was personal but he understands hehas done wrong and will accept the fine the club has imposed inaccordance with PFA guidelines.'
'This whole affair has been very disappointing and the club are keen to draw a line under it.'
After joining Wigan on a season-long from El Zamalek, Zaki set the Barclays Premier League alight with seven goals in eight games.
But the striker's future with the club remains uncertain after Bruce claimed he was 'at the end of his tether', branding the 11-goal hitman a 'nightmare'.
'I can honestly say that in all my time in football I have never worked with someone as unprofessional,' Bruce raged.
