Steve Bruce is confident Paul Scharner will put pen-to-paper on a new deal at the JJB Stadium.
Wigan boss hopeful defender will sign new deal
Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce is confident Paul Scharner will put pen-to-paper on a new deal at the JJB Stadium.
Scharner has just over a year to run on his current contract, with the Latics keen to tie him down to a new long-term deal.
The Austrian has been one of Wigan's star performers since the arrival of Bruce and he has been instrumental in their climb away from the drop zone.
Bruce held preliminary talks with Scharner on Monday, and plans to reopen further discussions at the end of the season.
Big decision
"I told Paul that I want to keep him and we'll have more talks when we are 100 per cent safe in this division," Bruce told the
Evening Post.
"Paul has a year left on his contract and is quite within his rights to see out that year if he wishes.
"It's a big decision for him, one we have to respect because it's probably one of the last big contracts in his career - although I think he could play on for a long time.
"I'm confident he will agree to stay and we'll see what develops. The talks I had with him were to tell him about what I wanted for the club, how I want us to move forward.
Character
"What I told Paul was that since Christmas we're eighth in the Premier League form league and it shows we can put some good results together.
"I like Paul - he's off the wall and different to say the least - but he trains like a winner every day and wants to be involved in a successful team.
"He's been very instrumental in what we've done since I came to the club."
