Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan says there's no rift with Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.

Last week Whelan suggested the Sunderland manager's 'dodgy' signings at his club contributed to the mauling at Tottenham the previous week.

"Steve is a superb manager, and a good friend of mine," said Whelan.

"We spoke before the game, exchanged our best wishes for Christmas, and I wish him all the best at Sunderland where he's doing a good job, just as he did here."