STEVE Bruce could find himself reluctantly in the role of executioner for his under-pressure ex-Manchester United team-mate Paul Ince.

The ex-England star is the latest of Fergie's old boys to find the going tough in the world of Premier League management.

Roy Keane has already quit the hot seat at Sunderland and Ince is struggling after taking over from Mark Hughes at Ewood Park. Blackburn have gone 10 league games without a win - they've lost the last five - and after five months in the job, it's crunch time for Ince when his side face Bruce's Wigan at the JJB stadium.

In last year's corresponding fixture Latics smashed in five goals to give Bruce his first win as Wigan boss.

Any repeat of that 5-3 score tomorrow could spell the axe for Ince with the Lancashire club's board reportedly considering their options which include two vastly experienced men in Sam Allardyce and Graeme Souness.

Wigan are looking to bounce right back after Arsenal ended their unbeaten five match run last week. And Bruce admits he can't afford to do his old pal any favours.

"It's a huge game for us and the chance to put some distance between ourselves and Blackburn to set us up for the Christmas matches.

"It'll be good to see Incey again," he said. "He's having a bit of a tough time and we have all been there. But I'm confident he will come through it.

"He's handled pressure all his life, he's always liked a challenge and he certainly won't lack the bottle."

Latics are without midfield powerhouse Wilson Palacios, booked for the fifth time last week, and defender Emmerson Boyce who is facing a fortnight out with a hamstring tear. Bruce will run a late check on Paul Scharner who returned to training this week after a groin injury and Michael Brown is favourite to replace Palacios.

On loan Striker Amr Zaki is fully fit and Bruce has dismissed reports linking him with a January move to Chelsea.

The Egypt star, who has hit eight goals in his first season in the Premier League, has previously been linked with Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City.

But Bruce stressed: "He's our player until the end of the season."

Meanwhile, Midfielder David Dunn will be on the bench for Blackburn.

The 28-year-old has not played since the second match of the season on August 28 after sustaining an Achilles injury.

Defender Martin Olsson has picked up a knock this week but winger Morten Gamst Pedersen is fit despite picking up shoulder problem in last weekend’s defeat to Liverpool.

Defender Aaron Mokoena and striker Jason Roberts are also fit after pulling out late last week.

Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Taylor, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Brown, Koumas, Camara, Zaki, Heskey, Melchiot, Kilbane, Pollitt, Kingson, De Ridder, Cywka.

Blackburn Rovers: Robinson, Brown, Simpson, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Emerton, Warnock, Mokoena, Olsson, Dunn, Tugay, Treacy, Pedersen, Roberts, Derbyshire, Villanueva, Santa Cruz, Fowler, McCarthy, Andrews.

Wigan league form: DDWWL

Blackburn league form: LLLLL

Key opponent: Roque Santa Cruz - in demand striker always a danger

Prediction: Wigan 1 Blackburn 0 - Latics can pile more pressure on Ince

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You can get 6/1 on Wigan winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.