Bruce braced for bids

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This time last year midfielders Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios were being linked with moves to big-name clubs. Now it is strikers Emile Heskey, whose contract expires at the end of the season, and Amr Zaki, on loan until May from Egyptian club Zamalek.

But Bruce, backed by chairman Dave Whelan, is determined to reject any approach for his players and said: "When you have a decent team then the bigger teams are going to come wanting your players, which is normal."

He added: "I have the backing of the chairman on all of the things that we do. He has been fully supportive since I walked through the door and has said 'Steve, you manage it the best way you see fit'.

"It is not nice to keep reading your players are going everywhere but no one is going on the cheap.

"We have worked ever so hard to get the players we have got but if something (a bid) comes and blows us out of the water then I've got to do my job on behalf of the club as well.

"I brought in four or five last season but I can't see me being that active this time because I'm very pleased with what I have got.

"At this moment in time there is no one who can improve us.

"My biggest problem is keeping the vultures at bay. I'll get ready for January, fix the bayonets and see what happens."