Dont Rush It - Bruce Tells Edman

Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce has asked Erik Edman to be patient in pursuit of the left back spot in the team and Bruce says that although Edman is a fantastic player it is impossible to leave current left back Maynor Figueroa out with the way he`s been playing.

Edman damaged cruciate ligaments at Blackburn 11 months ago and hasn`t started a game since then, he made a cameo substitute appearance in the FA cup defeat at Spurs back in January which was his first appearance since his injury.

Figueroa has been in tremendous form for the Latics this season and he is the clubs only player to have started every league game a feat in its self considering Figueroa was back and forth from Central America several times in September, October and November due to Honduras success in their World Cup qualifiers

Bruce points to the fact that Figueroa waited five months before he got his debut for the club and asks Edman to show the same level of patience, Bruce told the press:

'In the last two or three weeks Erik has been champing at the bit, but he has to understand that Figueroa has done fantastically well.

'Figueroa came from nowhere really. We waited five months to give him his debut - now he's our first choice in that position.

'Erik will have to be patient. He understands that, being the good professional he is.

'He's great to have in the squad, having played 60 games for Sweden and been to two World Cups, and is someone else to think about when Figueroa has been away playing for Honduras.'

Edman has been named in the Sweden squad for their friendly with Austria tomorrow and this might get him some much needed match practice, from having no left back for almost a full season to having two quality left backs, what a difference a year makes

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