sport

BRUCE TO REIN IN KIRKLAND

Kirkland - set for comeback from injury.

Steve Bruce has revealed goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is a "workaholic" as he prepares to restore him to the starting line-up for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Hull.

Kirkland missed the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend after he suffered a back spasm during the pre-match warm-up at the JJB Stadium, and Mike Pollitt deputised in his absence.

The 27-year-old was also rested for the 4-0 victory over Notts County in the Carling Cup and with a history of injury problems, Bruce is keen to handle him carefully.

Bruce said: "I think Chris Kirkland should be okay for Hull. He had a spasm while we were away in pre-season and it tightens up and stiffens up a bit, but we don't think it is anything too serious so with a bit of TLC he will be fine.

"He has been to see specialists and we're okay with him. He's comfortable with the whole situation at the moment so we don't think there is really anything to unduly worry us.

"The fact that England coach Fabio Capello was in the crowd on Sunday for the Chelsea game and he didn't play probably sums up his luck.

"Certainly for me he is as good a goalkeeper as there is in the Premier League.

"He has proved that to me already and I only worked with him for six months last season. I think we're going to have to go down the route of managing him a little because he's a workaholic.

"He wants to work from seven o'clock in the morning through until midnight if you would allow him to, so we are going to have to pull in the reins a bit.

"We'll have to give him the correct schedule and monitor him to make sure he doesn't keep agitating it."

The Latics are yet to register any points after a 2-1 away defeat to West Ham on the opening day of the season was followed by the home reverse by Chelsea.

However, two goals from Henri Camara and a goal apiece from Amr Zaki and Tomasz Kupisz gave them a comfortable victory over Notts County to secure their place in the third round of the Carling Cup.

And chairman Dave Whelan is confident the win has kick-started a season which he thinks can exceed predictions they will be involved in a relegation battle.

"If we were to finish in the top half of the Premier League I think everybody at Wigan Athletic, including the fans, would be delighted. I would be happy and I am sure Steve would be as well," Whelan said.

"It's a long season and a hard season so a lot will depend on injuries and of course how lady luck looks at you.

"But we are good enough to finish in the top half and I actually think we are good enough to finish in the top eight or nine in the table."