Buoyant Bruce dreaming of Europe

STEVE BRUCE is daring to dream of European football after Wigan maintained their impressive run of form to climb to seventh in the table.

On-loan striker Amr Zaki scored the winner against Bolton from the penalty spot a minute before half-time to ensure Wigan have now won five of their last six league games and continue to make great strides under Bruce’s stewardship.

“Anyone who has seen us will know it is no fluke we are in the top half of the division,” he said.

“Our aim is to stay there if we can. There a lot of big clubs down near the bottom so it is great for a side like ours to be punching above our weight.

“Bolton have played in Europe, Blackburn have done it. Why can’t it be our turn? In the calendar year we have taken something like 58-60 points. It is a fantastic achievement from the players but we are not going to get carried away.”

Zaki’s 11th goal of the season came after Andy O’Brien had been penalised for a challenge on substitute Henri Camara.

Bruce offered a tribute to the Egyptian forward, who has had some domestic business to attend to.

“The kid has had a tough time,” said the Wigan boss. “He has a sick child. We will continue to try to help him. Thankfully his daughter is now okay and that has put his mind at rest. He is getting back to his best and is strong as an ox. He has unbelievable energy levels.

“Amr’s ended up with a bit of a lump on his eye but he can stand his corner.”

Bruce expects to be without goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and England striker Emile Heskey for the FA Cup tie against Tottenham on Friday.

Kirkland pulled up in the warm-up with a groin problem and Mike Pollitt was drafted in even though Richard Kingson was on the bench.

“We travel with three goalkeepers as Chris has a history of injuries although he has gone a year without missing a game,” Bruce added.

“I picked Pollitt for his experience and he has come up with the goods. He is such a good lad he was training on the pitch even though he wasn’t on the bench.”

Bolton kept chipping away with both Kevin Davies and Danny Shittu rattling the woodwork with their efforts.

Shittu also saw a goalbound header steered to safety by Wilson Palacios although manager Gary Megson maintained it was a goal

Megson said: “You try to be objective as you can but we think the ball was over the line. That said, we did not play particularly well.”

BOLTON (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen 6, Steinsson 6, Shittu 6, A O’Brien 5, Samuel 5 (Riga 65, 5), Taylor 6, Nolan 6 (Muamba 64, 5), McCann 6, Gardner 6 (Obadeyi 87, 5), Elmander 5, Davies 6.

Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Smolarek, Fogut, Basham.

WIGAN (4-4-2): Pollitt 8, Melchiot 6, Scharner 7, Bramble 6, Figueroa 6, Valencia 7, Cattermole 7, Palacios 7, Taylor 6 (Kilbane 86, 5), Heskey 6 (Camara 33, 5), Zaki 7 (Brown 90, 5).

Subs Not Used: Kingson, Koumas, Boyce, De Ridder.

REFEREE: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire) 5: A few too controversial moments, with Wigan lucky to escape so often.

MATCH RATING: *** Held the attention. Wigan are looking a real force.