Bruce still bitter over exit

The ex-Blues boss will face his former club for the first time since leaving for Wigan last November, with the two sides languishing immediately above the drop zone with six games remaining.

Bruce spent six years at St Andrews, twice winning promotion to the Premier League, but talks over a new contract stalled last year during Carson Yeung's proposed takeover.

Wigan then approached Bruce to succeed Chris Hutchings and after the Latics agreed a lucrative compensation package with Birmingham, his unveiling as Wigan boss was delayed due to a dispute with Birmingham over an image-rights bonus.

Co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan wanted Bruce to repay an advance payment, and Bruce admits he remains bitter about his departure.

"It was disappointing the way it was handled. After six years I think I demanded a bit more respect than what was given," he said.

"The Carson Yeung issue clouded the waters a lot but, for me, the way it ended was unforgivable. It's often said that money is the root of all evil and, for me, people's greed ruined what was a very decent six years."

"I had an issue with that at the time and it's still there now. However, I'm now more focused than ever to make sure I do my utmost for the chairman who brought me here and get the three points, which will obviously help the club."

Bruce admits his history with Birmingham adds an extra edge to Sunday's match as besides his acrimonious exit, many of the players coming up against his Wigan side are ones Bruce signed for Birmingham.

Fabrice Muamba and Seb Larsson have established themselves in the Blues' first team since being lured from Arsenal by Bruce last year, with James McFadden, David Murphy and Mauro Zarate the only additions made by new boss Alex McLeish during the January transfer window.

"When you spend six years with a club there's more to it," said Bruce.

"The vast majority of those years I believe we did okay, there were a couple of promotions in there, and you see 95% of the team is still playing there."

"It's always special to play against your old club and for me on Saturday it will be no different. I see the players, in particular, as old friends, but also some of the staff that I left behind."

"I worked every day with them, and some players like Damien Johnson spent the majority of his career under myself."

"There's also young players you've seen come through like Muamba and Larsson, who you knew were going to be fantastic football players."

"So for all the players you brought there, when you leave them behind it is tough, but it's football - it always has to come to an end."

Bruce signed midfielder Wilson Palacios on loan for Birmingham last summer and then brought him to Wigan on a permanent deal from Deportivo Olimpo in January.

The Honduras international is also set to face his former club as he returns from suspension, although Michael Brown and Jason Koumas remain out.

"We've still got two suspended in Brown and Koumas. That's unfortunate because they're both midfield players," said Bruce.

"But the rest of the squad is healthy and fit, and you need that when you're going into a big game like this. We've been able to do the preparation as normal this week so we're raring to go."