Whelan hits out at Illegal approach claim

Latics assistant manager Chris Hutchings last week confirmed that they wanted to bring in the 28-year-old to the JJB Stadium, a claim that didn't go down well with Birmingham.

Whelan: Furious at Sullivans claims

And Whelan is now fuming over claims made by City co-owner David Sullivan after he accused Wigan of tapping up Heskey.

Speaking about the claims, Whelan said: "We always conduct our business according to the rules." He added: "At no time have we or will we ever approach a player illegally. When we make bids for players it is always via the official channels.

Birmingham have slapped a £5million price tag on Heskey, a price Wigan are unwilling to meet, although they hope to do business for £3.5million is City can be persuaded to sell.

Wigan won't be reported to the F.A after Wigan chief executive Brenda Spencer smoothed things over with her City counterpart Karren Brady on Monday.

Sullivan had claimed: "What has been said by Wigan does amount to an illegal approach. It is unacceptable what they are are trying to unsettle our players and we have it clear they cannot carry on doing this."

Someone needs to read Sullivan exactly what an illegal approach is, as accoring to what he has said, this means his own club made an illegal approach when they announced their interest in Craig Bellamy last season.