Bruce - Hugo nearly there

07 March 2009 17:50
Steve Bruce is confident livewire striker Hugo Rodallega is edging towards the fitness needed to regularly start games for Wigan. The 23-year-old Colombian switched to the Latics in the January transfer window in a £4.5million move from Mexican club Nexaca. He has since made just one start for the club - wilting against Fulham after a good opening - as well as five appearances from the substitutes' bench, where he has looked a lively prospect, showing good touches and awareness. He again showed his potential when replacing Amr Zaki in the 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Wednesday night, where he came close to a late equaliser. His approach to full fitness is a welcome boost to Latics boss Bruce, who has seen his side fail to win in their last eight games as they seek to rebuild after losing crucial players in the January transfer window. Bruce told the Wigan Evening Post: "Rodallega's performance was one of the few positives from the West Ham game. "I've mentioned a few times that I have to be careful with the boy because, when he came in from Mexico, the season there had ended and he hadn't played for six or seven weeks. "We have given him time to settle in, find his feet, and he's edging towards starting for us, I think he will be a big player here."

Source: SKY_Sports