Wigan Athletic Football Club News

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

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Bruce backs Latics strikers

20 Feb 2008 - 11:36:03

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Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce believes his squad have the firepower needed to ensure they escape the threat of relegation from the Premier League.

Bruce is looking forward to having both Emile Heskey and Antoine Sibierski back in the fold for the clash with rock-bottom Derby County this weekend, while he also has Marlon King, Marcus Bent and Julius Aghahowa at his disposal.

He told the Manchester Evening News: "I firmly believe at the top end of the pitch we have got better players than some of the other teams who are around us.

"Because of this, we have to try and make that count in the remaining 12 games by getting them into good positions and making sure they take the chances coming their way.

"I can only play two strikers at one time and I slipped up at Middlesbrough by trying to play three.

"I guess most people would go for Emile as the first-choice and then it's a case of finding someone to play alongside him.

"Football is very much about opinion and therefore it's my job to make sure I choose the right player to partner Emile up front."

Meanwhile, January recruits Erik Edman and Erik Hagen could be among the Latics squad, as long as they come through a midweek reserve team outing unscathed.

Both Edman and Hagen have yet to feature for the Latics so far, due to calf and hamstring injuries respectively.