FORMER City striker Antoine Sibierski is lined up for a leading role in Wigan Athletic's bid for Premier League survival.

According to manager Steve Bruce, the veteran Frenchman could prove to be Latics' talisman providing he is fully fit.

Sibierski has chipped in with vital goals but his first season at the JJB has been punctuated by injury.

He last started a League game at the end of December but manager Bruce did intend to play him from the start at Sunderland last week only for illness to prevent Sibierski from travelling.

Bruce said: "Sibierski is a very good player with bags of experience. I think he could be the catalyst for us in out bid to stay in the Premiership.

"I had him in mind to play against Sunderland because Marlon King had been away on international duty and only reported back to our hotel on the Friday night.

"The big thing with Sibierskli is the fact we have to get him into a strong position where he's not missing key games due to niggling injuries.

"To his credit he has been making a big impact coming on as a sub. He brings a lot to the team. He can score some good goals and he has an important part to play between now and the end of the season."

Bruce has revealed that during the last fortnight Sibierski has been working on his fitness without having the pressure of knowing that he had to prepare for a game.

He is certainly expected to start against Derby on Saturday.

This game sees the return to the JJB of ex-Wigan boss Paul Jewell.

Bruce also has fingers crossed that Emile Heskey, who has also had a tough time with injury, will be passed fully fit.

He has already had two months out with a broken metatarsal and spent last week with a specialist after enduring problems with the nerves in his back.

Bruce adds: "We need all our big players like Heskey and Sibierski full fit and firing. We're in the mix." Tweet