Bruce urges stars to stay

Last updated : 04 May 2008 By Paul Farrington
Wilson Palacios
Paul Scharner, Wilson Palacios and two goal hero Antonio Valencia have been attracting interest from a host of toehr clubs after their impressive performances for the Latics.

But Bruce is keen to keep hold of his stars as he aims to take the Latics into the top half of the table and targets cup glory as a feasible route into Europe.

Points per game, the Latics would be chasing a European place had Bruce's reign been stretched out over the whole season, and with a couple of quality additinos this summer, Wigan could well be up their in the table.

However Bruce understands the importance and quality of his current crop of players. He said "I think Wilson and Antonio are flattered by the interest.

"They are playing well to attract the interest of the big clubs, and my big fear is if the big clubs put money on the table, it would be hard to keep them. How can you deny the two kids such an opportunity?

"But what I hope for another year at least is they can stay here and keep learning their trade.

"If and when they do go, I hope they then go straight into a team rather than just being part of a squad. That is imperative for both - if they weren't playing regularly I think they would get very frustrated.

"I don't want them to go yet as they are still young, still learning their trade and can only get better. Being here together has helped them with the language situation, and enabled them to settle well.

"They are the talk of the Premier League at the moment - every manager I speak to is raving about them. Saturday [the draw with Reading last week] was one of their quietest games, yet the Reading staff were saying what great players they were.

"What I would love is to keep them here for another year or two, although it will be difficult if the big clubs come knocking."