Latics keen to keep stars

Bruce: Resigned to Palacios departure

Wigan manager Steve Bruce is adamant Wilson Palacios will be the only player to leave the JJB Stadium in January.

Honduras midfielder Palacios is thought to be on the verge of a £14million move to Tottenham, while Manchester City are also understood to be lining up a bid.

Bruce is resigned to losing the 24-year-old in the current transfer window, but he is determined to keep hold of his other star assets such as Emile Heskey, Antonio Valencia and Ryan Taylor.

The Latics boss insists the trio will be going nowhere in the immediate future, but confesses it will always be difficult for his club to retain top players in the long term.

"We don't want to lose Wilson, but we have to be realistic," said Bruce.

"This is a club that will always lose its best players, but you don't want to lose them halfway through a season.

"We have worked so hard over 14 months to get in this position and you hate to dismantle it.

"But I won't be losing two or three this time, just one."