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Wigan supremo Dave Whelan has opened the door for Steve Bruce to come back for a third time as boss.

Whelan is ready to make a quick appointment if Roberto Martinez leaves and Bruce is favourite.

He quit the Latics for Sunderland in 2009 and had a row with Whelan over his departure but the chairman said: “Steve Bruce is someone I’ve always got on with. I never sacked him. He left for Sunderland but we’ve remained on good terms.

“I’ve not spoken to anyone yet and I don’t need to because there are one or two excellent managers around at the moment who aren’t in work.”

Bruce also had a short spell in charge at Wigan in 2001.

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