Wigan Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Bruce aims to curb Kirkland

29 Aug 2008 - 11:34:08

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Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce is looking to curb Chris Kirkland's enthusiasm for training in a bid to banish the goalkeeper's injury problems to the past.

Kirkland, 27, is set to make his first appearance of the season in Saturday's Premier League clash with Hull City after picking up a back problem on the eve of the new campaign.

The former Coventry City and Liverpool keeper has a history of injury problems and Bruce believes these stem from his voracious appetite for training.

He said: "Chris should be okay for Hull. He had a spasm while we were away in pre-season and it tightens up and stiffens up a bit, but we don't think it is anything too serious.

"He has been to see specialists and we're okay with him. He's comfortable with the whole situation at the moment so we don't think there is really anything to unduly worry us.

"He wants to work from seven o'clock in the morning through until midnight if you would allow him to, so we are going to have to pull in the reins a bit.

"We'll have to give him the correct schedule and monitor him to make sure he doesn't keep agitating it."