Zaki is our Shearer says Whelan

Whelan said: "When you look at this lad and his build, he is the same height, weight, everything about him, he is like Alan Shearer. He has the same confidence when he gets the ball, he knows where the goal is, he doesn't need to look up, he has this instinct.

"Strikers like that have an instinct as to where the goal is. You can't describe it, you can't give it to anybody. Certain people have it and Alan Shearer was one who had it in abundance, and this lad is exactly the same.

"He has this ability to score goals. Sometimes there is no danger, but then, wham, and the ball is in the back of the net. And when you watch him, he will not give in, he will not give up. He fights and runs, and he is wonderful."

Zaki will be hoping to make his goal scoring tally six from six this weekend as the Latics face Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The 25 year old is already earning cult status in the town.