FORMER Manchester City boss John Benson has a key role to play in helping Wigan Athletic land Birmingham City striker Emile Heskey.

Benson has just returned to Wigan to take up an administrative role. He was previously football director at Birmingham and enjoyed a good working relationship with Heskey, left, while at St Andrew's.

Benson has a major part to play in Wigan's summer recruitment plan and is doing everything he can to persuade Heskey to consider Wigan's offer of a two-year deal.

Wigan face competition from Blackburn and Brum boss Steve Bruce has told Heskey he doesn't want him to leave.

Meanwhile, Wigan are close to signing Liverpool keeper Chris Kirkland on a one-year loan and remain interested in AZ Alkmaar midfielder Denny Lendzaat.

Lendzaat is a player highly rated by the club's Dutch player Arjan De Zeeuw.

The Wigan captain says: "Lendzaat is a good player who gets into good positions.

"He scores goals, has a good turn offoot and is definitely a talented player who is worth looking at." Tweet