Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce says only an ‘outrageous’ offer would see striker Emile Heskey leave the club.

The England international is out of contract at seasons end and has been attracting interest from rival clubs but Bruce would loathe to lose the 30-year old.

“Emile is in his right, but we have right to say 'no'," said Bruce.

"We still have three or four months to go until the end of the season.

"It might cost us 4 or 5million, but we have to weigh that up against the £30million we get next summer.

"I have not given up hope I can keep Emile here. The chairman has backed me 100 per cent on every decision I have made and I would expect him to do exactly the same thing in this situation.

"It has got to be an outrageous offer for me to even consider going to the chairman. Where do we find a replacement when we could be in a bit of a relegation battle?

"We have the England centre-forward. If we lose him in January, where does that leave us as a team and as a club?

"Even if we did get a big offer we would have to think if it was the right thing for the club. Obviously the prize is we stay in this division."