Bruce Pays His Way Out of Birmingham

Steve Bruce is finally set to be unveiled as the new Wigan manager today after he agreed to return a six-figure sum to Birmingham City as part of an image rights bonus that had been paid up front in September. The St Andrew's board had initially refused to sanction Bruce's departure to Wigan because he was unwilling to co-operate over Birmingham's demands but a compromise was reached last night when he paid back a little under half the £300,000 that was due.

Having waived the £250,000 loyalty bonus that Bruce received in the summer, the club were adamant that he should not be able to profit from the image rights agreement that covers a 12-month period. After a series of talks between the two parties and also legal representatives, Bruce accepted he had to climb down from his earlier position given that he had effectively been paid in full for three months' work. With that matter resolved Bruce is free to sign a £2m-a-year contract and start his second term at the JJB Stadium.

Birmingham, meanwhile, expect to hear today if the Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung will be able to proceed with his proposed takeover of the club. The uncertainty over the club's future was a major factor in Bruce deciding to leave.

Nemanja Vidic is a significant doubt for Manchester United's game at Bolton tomorrow after returning from international duty with a back injury. Vidic was scheduled to fly back to Manchester yesterday after being forced out of Serbia's 2-2 draw with Poland on Wednesday. Gerard Pique stands by to deputize.