Emile Heskey exclusive: Steve Bruce vows to fight to keep England striker at Wigan

Wigan boss Steve Bruce will defy chairman Dave Whelan to keep Emile Heskey for the rest of the season - and is slapping a £10million fee on his head.

The England striker's contract is up in the summer but Bruce would rather lose him for nothing than see him sold off cheaply in the transfer window.

He plans to over-rule his supremo Whelan and said: "It's a huge decision. The chairman has backed me in the past and I am sure I will convince him on this one too. If someone comes in and blows us away then every player has his price.

"But if somebody thinks they are going to get him at a knock-down price they are mistaken.

"It's a no-brainer for me, whatwould we get for two or three million if we sold Emile? It's not worth it. If somebody offers £10m I might have to sit back and think about it."

Wigan officials are in Latin America looking at Cristian Benitez and Hugo Rodallega Martinez as possible Heskey replacements.

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