Kirkland is the best says Bruce

Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce reckons Latics goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is the best he has worked with in his career but he is also wary of the shot-stoppers bad back which has seen him reduced to just one international cap.

Bruce said that the Latics work in close conjunction with the England regime in order to do their best for Kirklands chances of making the squad, he told reporters:

'We have conversations with England particularly (goalkeeping coach) Ray Clemence,' said Bruce.

'Chris finds it a problem to sit on planes, buses and go travelling.

'We all know he has a bit of back problem.

'When he does have to fly off around the world he does struggle. But we are trying to help him as much as we can.

'He has everything you need from a goalkeeper and I am sure he must be in the thoughts of the England manager.'

'We are trying to manage it as best we can, the more he plays, the more comfortable he is with himself and the new training regime.

'Thankfully he has not missed a game all season and I am sure he will have to come into the England reckoning at some point.

'He is certainly the best goalkeeper I have worked with in my time as a manager.'

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