Bruce fears for Heskey
16 Dec 2007 - 11:49:53
Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey could be set for another spell on the sidelines after being carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury in the first half of the Latics' dramatic 5-3 victory against Blackburn Rovers.
The former Liverpool and Birmingham City forward was only making his third start after being out of action for two months with a broken metatarsal.
Wigan boss Steve Bruce said after the eight-goal thriller: "You could see the stadium, you could see the players. Emile's a big, important, influential player for us.
"He'll have scans and X-rays over the next 24-48 hours. It's taken the gloss off a nice afternoon."
After his side had ended their 14-match winless run with victory against Rovers, Bruce added: "The last words I said to them were, 'We can't concede three goals and win a football match - it's impossible'.
"That's what we've been conceding, unfortunately, and we've done it again today.
"The first half, apart from the last ten seconds of the three minutes added on, was the complete performance from us.
"We were right up for the challenge and certainly blew Blackburn away in the first half. The goal from Santa Cruz gave them a lifeline and that was a big kick in the teeth. We got a bit edgy and a bit nervous.
"But in terms of attitude and application, terrific, and we need to show that again. I don't think we've had that intensity. They've worked extremely hard for the last couple of weeks to improve on that.
"It's been a difficult week after getting mauled at Bolton last week. But the response was terrific."