Mido claims Wigan interest

Steve Bruce back in for striker

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 22nd August 2008

Mido claims Wigan interest

Mido: Interest

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Middlesbrough striker Mido has claimed that Wigan are interested in signing him and he has not ruled out the prospect of leaving The Riverside.

Boro signed the Egyptian star last summer in a £6million deal from Tottenham, beating Wigan to his signature.

He made an immediate impact for Boro scoring two goals in his first two games, but injury curtailed his season as he managed less than ten league starts.

The 25-year-old former Roma star is now back to full fitness and came off the bench to score the winner in Boro's opening day 2-1 win over Spurs.

But Mido knows he faces a tough fight to claim a first-team place with Tuncay and Afonso Alves currently ahead of him in the pecking order.

He was quoted in the local Teesside press earlier this week about his ambitions at Boro, but he has now revealed Wigan's interest and he is refusing to rule out the prospect of a move.

"I was informed that Wigan want to sign me on loan, but they are yet to contact Middlesbrough," Mido told FilGoal.

"Wigan coach Steve Bruce admires my abilities. He has tried to sign me when he was in charge of Birmingham, and now he has renewed his interest."

Mido could link-up with fellow countryman Amr Zaki at The JJB and he insists he is considering quitting Boro.

"I will take my final decision next week after meeting (Middlesbrough coach) Gareth Southgate," he continued.

"Southgate told me that he wants to keep me at the Riverside. I will talk with him to settle on the best choice.

"I seek regular first team football. Both clubs can offer me equal chances to play on a regular basis. Both of them have very good strikers also.

"But I'm sure I can force my way into the starting XI of any team once I regain full fitness.

"I may opt to stay at Middlesbrough for the sake of stability. I settled in there after spending a whole season with them.

"Anyway, I won't close the door on a move to Wigan. I may end up joining them if they offered me more first-team football."