STEVE Bruce says preserving Wigan Athletic's Premiership status would be his greatest achievement in football management.

Bruce has revived Wigan's fortunes but says he is simply pleased to see Wigan in among a pack of clubs who are fighting to stay up.

He said: "After we lost heavily at Bolton before Christmas I did start to wonder what might happen but we have rallied and we have given ourselves a chance.

"The players have responded and we intend taking that chance.

"It did look at one stage as if we ran the risk of being marooned at the foot of the table but we have put together some good results.

"If we are able to get the same return from the next 13 games as we have done from the last set then I feel we will stay up.

"Keeping Wigan up would undoubtedly be my greatest achievement in management.

"Let's not get carried away, though, we haven't done anything yet.

"I sensed when I arrived the team had been underachieving but we've given them the spark they needed.

"I took the job on because I relished the challenge and the strength and the make-up of the squad impressed me.

"It was a case of coming in and having an impact. You don't get much time in this game and you invariably come into a job when things haven't been going that well.

"We've managed to get things on the right track and that is pleasing."

Bruce plans to give a full debut to new Norwegian centre-half Erik Hagen in the forthcoming home game with Derby.

Hagen has a slight hamstring strain and has a reputation for being a hard man, having been booked 14 times during his first season in Russian football.

Hagen said: "I am thrilled and delighted to be at Wigan. I spoke with other Norwegian players and they say this is the best place to play."

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