Wigan eye Guillermo Franco

Wigan boss Steve Bruce would like to make Guillermo Franco of Villarreal the long-term successor to Emile Heskey, should the player decide to leave the club in January or the end of the season.

The Mexican has been inconsistent over the last few years for the 'Yellow Submarines', and could now make a move to England to try his luck in the Premiership.

Valued by his club in the region of £5 million, Wigan, who are also chasing Ecuador international Cristian Benitez, are looking for strikers for the future.