Revival helped in Edman signing

Since Bruce's arrival at the club the Latics have taken 12 points from a possible 24 to clamber out of the bottom three, prompting the Sweden international left-back to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract following a cut-price £500,000 deal from French club Rennes.

Appreciating the fight to attract players to Wigan is a difficult one, Bruce said: "Of course, it always is a problem. We know that and understand it, but it's one we will try and overcome. With Erik we contacted him a few weeks ago, and it was difficult at that time because we only had eight points and he didn't think we had much chance of staying up."

He added: "But all of a sudden since then, we've sold it to him the club has an outstanding chance of staying in the Premier League. And in bringing people like Erik, that can only help us in that situation, and he has jumped on board.

"I'm delighted to get him because it's not often you sign a Sweden international with 55 caps under his belt for the sort of money we've paid. I did look at him last summer when I was at Birmingham, so I've been aware of him for about six months."

After training with his new team-mates on Friday, Edman is likely to go straight into the side for Sunday's game with Everton, despite Thursday's signing of another left-back in Maynor Figueroa he is still awaiting an international clearance.

The crucial signing for Bruce on Friday, though, was that of a player who has spent the last 16 months at the JJB Stadium.

Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia has signed a permanent three-and-a-half-year contract having joined Wigan on loan from Villarreal in August 2006.

Bruce believes Valencia is one of the best wingers he has seen as he said: "From the start, he was the one I wanted to sign. He is a fantastic player, who I'm sure has the world at his feet because he has been exceptional with the talent he has shown me so far."

"After working with him every day, he is as good a player as I've had in that position, and I've had some good ones. I rate him that highly. I worked with Jermaine Pennant for a long time at Birmingham, and he is certainly in his class."