Bruce holds Palacios fear

Latics boss praises midfielder's display in West Ham defeat

Last updated: 17th August 2008

wigan wilson palacios

Palacios: Impressing at Wigan

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Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce fears the club could struggle to hold on to Wilson Palacios.

The Honduran midfielder has impressed since joining the Latics in January after also playing under Bruce at Birmingham City.

Palacios had been recommended to Bruce by Arsene Wenger following a trial at Arsenal, and has been linked with Manchester United.

He sparkled in Wigan's 2-1 defeat at West Ham United on Saturday and Bruce admits he is anxious for the transfer window to close.

Sensational

"Palacios was sensational," said Bruce. "It was a stunning all-round midfield display.

"The window can't close soon enough as far as I am concerned because, if he carries on playing like that, it won't be long before a lot of clubs are after him."

Explaining how he came to sign Palacios, Bruce added: "I came about Wilson Palacios through Arsene Wenger.

"I was trying to sign Mathieu Flamini for Birmingham at the time and had agreed a deal with Arsenal, but he didn't want to come.

"But then Arsene phoned me and told me about a player he had on trial. I looked at him and as soon as I could I signed him in January for Wigan.

"He's a top, top player and we could struggle to hold on to him."