Bruce keen to keep Bent

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Bent joined the Latics on a season-long loan from Charlton at the end of August and Bruce has been impressed enough by his form to want to sit down and discuss a permanent switch to Lancashire.

"It's something we have in place, something triggered to us staying in the Premier League," said Bruce.

"We have had preliminary talks with him and his agent, and the one thing we are looking at if we stay up is that this summer we will have another conversation."

Centre-back Paul Scharner is another of the players Bruce does not want to see leave if he is to build for next season, with talks planned during the summer.

Scharner has a year remaining on his contract at the end of this season, which is certain to alert a number of clubs.

Everton were interested in the 28-year-old Austrian last summer, while Fulham had bids of £2.7million and £3million firmly rejected in January.

Although Scharner concedes he is happy at Wigan, the door would appear to be open as he added: "Let's see what the future brings."

Bruce, though, has every intention of keeping hold of Scharner as he said: "He is another of those we really want to keep. He is a very good player, certainly not your typical footballer - in fact, he is off the wall!

"But yes, we will be sitting down with him in the summer and try to see if we can strike a new deal with him."