Bruce confident over Heskey injury

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is confident Emile Heskey will come through the latest niggling injury to affect his return from a broken foot.

The England striker was forced off during last weekend's draw with Manchester City after picking up a slight hamstring strain and he also left the field early on Sunday after complaining of a pain in his groin in the second half of the 4-1 defeat to Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

"Emile is a bit sore around the groin area," said Bruce. "The big problem for Emile is that he has been out for 10 weeks. He is such a big physical powerfully-built lad it is going to take him some time to get back into it. But we think he is going to be okay."

With Wigan's position in the relegation dogfight worsening, Bruce needs Heskey firing at full throttle ahead of the packed Christmas programme.