Whelan: Bruce joining Wigan

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has revealed that a verbal agreement is in place with Steve Bruce who is set to join from Premiership rivals Birmingham on a contract estimated to be worth around £45,000 a week.

Bruce’s long-term future remains uncertain at St Andrews and as such the former Manchester United defender had obtained permission to hold talks at the JJB.

Whelan told Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme: "We will have a meeting with Steve on Monday and we are hoping we can make an announcement on Monday or Tuesday.

"We look like we have a contract agreed but nothing has been signed. There is no doubt from the very start when we approached he was keen to come to Wigan."