DEFENDER Emmerson Boyce is holding talks with Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce about an extended contract.

Boyce, an unsung hero for the Latics, has been negotiating new terms since the end of last season and is expected to agree a new deal when the squad returns from their training camp in Austria.

Boyce is happy at Wigan and is looking forward to continued success under Bruce.

Boyce says: "We are close and maybe we can sort things out when we return from Austria.

"I've two years left of my contract but it's nice to negotiate early on so that I know where my future is."

Wigan are also understood to be close to agreeing a new deal with Boyce's defensive partner Paul Scharner. Tweet