WIGAN Athletic manager Steve Bruce will do everything in his power to try to retain England striker Emile Heskey this summer.

FA Cup winners Portsmouth continue to be linked with Heskey, who is under contract at Wigan.

Bruce doesn't want to lose his prize asset and ideally wants to pair him with Egyptian Amr Zaki.

But Latics are bracing themselves for a Portsmouth bid with manager Harry Redknapp having cash to spend in readiness for a European campaign.

Wigan officials claim Heskey has not hinted at wanting to leave this summer.

A cash offer from Portsmouth could, however, force Latics bosses to weight up their options.

Meanwhile, skipper Mario Melchiot is hoping for a successful Euro 2008 campaign with Holland.

Melchiot has been passed fit and is in the Dutch 23-man squad after overcoming an injury scare at the end of the season.

He says: "I think we can challenge but it's not going to be easy because we have got a tough group. Everyone has a chance.

"I have been struggling with my groin and I've had to take things a step at a time but I'm desperate to be involved." Tweet