Source: Eurosport
Bruce Ends Zaki Spat
Wigan boss Steve Bruce has drawn a line under his spat with striker Amr Zaki and stated his intent to use the Egyptian between now and the season's close.
The powerful frontman proved a revelation upon his introduction to the Premier League at the start of the campaign but has since faded badly and repeatedly angered Bruce with his poor discipline.
Bruce went public with his criticism after Zaki went AWOL following international duty with Egypt earlier this month, with the Latics boss revealing his disappearing act was a reccurrent theme of his debut term in England.
Zaki has since been fined and while it would appear Bruce has been put off pursuing a permanent deal in the summer, the loanee from El Zamalek could yet figure in Wigan's last six games of the campaign.
"We have drawn a line under the Zaki row - it has run its course," he told the Evening Post.
"He's back, has apologised, now it's time to let him get over this injury. I think he will be available for Blackburn and I'd have no qualms picking him - I have to think about the team.
"We haven't got the biggest of squads to start with, and could have done with Zaki against Arsenal when Mido had to come off.
"My job is to get the best out of the games we have remaining this season.
"If we had bundles and bundles of players available, it might be a different scenario with Zaki, but we haven't. So I'll do what I think is best for the team."
