Bruce says 'beware of the bull' as Wigan set to field striker Zaki

Zaki the Latic: Wigan boss Steve Bruce warns defenders of the advent of "bull-like" Egypt striker Amr Zaki

new signing Amr Zaki is an Egyptian international, who is ranked the best forward in the world by FIFA for his goal record - and he gets a chance to show why at .

According to Bruce, the Hammers' defence is in for a shock.

Bruce’s bent nose is evidence of the battering he took from forwards during his playing days at Manchester United, but even he has been wincing at the way loan signing Zaki throws his weight around.

Bruce said: ‘He is different. He has a rawness about him that if you are a centre-back you would hate to play against him.

‘He is built like a bull, and is a throw back to an old fashioned centre forward.

‘He was brought to my attention when he scored two goals in the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup last December, and physically you have to be strong to handle those African boys.

‘He was bouncing people around that have played in the Premier League hundreds of times.’

Bruce admits he has taken a gamble in bringing in Zaki from Egyptian side Zamalek on a season-long loan that could turn into a permanent £6million deal next summer.

But Bruce is convinced the striker's nose for goal could give Wigan an extra edge this season.

He added: ‘The good thing for us is that he has one thing on his mind. He wants to score. All goal scorers have that way about them. He is only interested in scoring goals.

‘He scored a great one at Hibs, and Sheffield Wednesday, in pre-season so I know he can score in the SPL, I know he can score in the Championship. Now can he go and play in the Premier League?

‘If we have unearthed one like we hope we have, then we have swum the Channel.’

Zaki fought a year-long battle to quit Zamalek after seeing bids from Sheffield United turned down last season.

The club’s president refused to let him leave, claiming the club did not need the Premier League’s money, but a confrontation with Zaki eventually forced his hand.

Despite his willingness to take on the club’s hierarchy as a way of triggering his departure from Zamalek, Zaki insists he is not as emotionally charged as fellow countrymen Mido and Hossam Ghaly.

He said: ‘I like the spirit of Mido. He fights for the ball and maybe that is why he is so temperamental. But you can’t compare me to Mido because we are different players and people - although I do have some fighting spirit.

‘I want to be a success in England and repeat the goals I have scored. But you have to be patient.

‘It took time for me to be a good scorer for my country, and it may take a little time to be the top scorer in England.’