Bruce wants Heskey to stay

4th December 2008

Wigan will play hardball if necessary in a bid to keep Emile Heskey on their books until the end of the season at least.

The England striker has been linked with a move away in the January transfer window as he is out of contract in the summer.

Manager Steve Bruce, however, is prepared to lose the transfer fee as he feels the finance gained from staying in the Barclays Premier League will more than compensate for that cash.

Bruce, who says he has the full backing of chairman Dave Whelan, stated: "Emile is in his right but we have right to say "no". We still have three or four months to go until the end of the season.

"It might cost us £4 or 5million but we have to weigh that up against the £30million we get next summer.

"I have not given up hope I can keep Emile here. The chairman has backed me 100% on every decision I have made and I would expect him to do exactly the same thing in this situation."

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3:00, Sat 6th Dec
Arsenal	v	Wigan
3:00, Sat 13th Dec
Wigan	v	Blackburn
3:00, Fri 26th Dec
Wigan	v	Newcastle
2:00, Sun 28th Dec
Bolton	v	Wigan
1:30, Sun 11th Jan
Wigan	v	Tottenham

3:00, Sat 29th Nov
Wigan	2	v	1	West Brom
8:00, Mon 24th Nov
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3:00, Sat 15th Nov
Newcastle	2	v	2	Wigan
12:45, Sat 8th Nov
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3:00, Sat 1st Nov
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