Defender wants to sign

Latics defender Emmerson Boyce is keen to end his new-deal talks as soon as possible to focus on the season ahead.

The 28-year-old is keen to commit his long-term future to the club and believes Steve Bruce is the man to take him and Wigan on a level this season.

The former Crystal Palace star told the Wigan Evening Post: "Hopefully we can get everything sorted out sooner rather than later. We are close.

"I have two years left on this contract, but it's nice to start negotiating early so that I know where my future is.

"It has been a two-way thing, the club approached me about a new contract as a reward for the way I have been performing.

"I was only too happy to negotiate an improved deal because I want to help this club move forward."

Boyce believes Bruce, who was an outstanding Premiership centre-back for Manchester United, can show him the way and aims to lift the Latics further up the table next season.

He said: "We finished last season strongly and the aim this time has to be to push further up the table and finish as high as we can.

"With Steve Bruce here from the word go this time, I really think we have a chance of going higher."