Wigan boss Steve Bruce is refusing to rule out a successful Carling Cup campaign after Latics made it into the last 16. The JJB outfit were 4-1 winners at Ipswich but Bruce admits his side was forced to work for the result and that he needed to tell a few home truths at the interval after a goalless first half.

He said: "Ipswich caused us more problems than anyone else has this season. I thought they played really well.

"But they didn't take their chances, we did, and perhaps that shows the difference between the Premier League and the Championship.

"In the end, we ran out comfortable winners but it was tough going at times."

Bruce added: "We're in the hat for the next round and a home draw would be nice.

"It was important to win as it keeps our momentum going - that's five games unbeaten for us now.

"Who knows what we could do in this competition?"

"We've been to the final before, and I think this is our realistic chance of winning something.

"If we can avoid some of the big ones in the draw, you never know what might happen.”

Turning his focus back to Wigan’s league campaign, Bruce is preparing his side to face Manchester City at the weekend.

"We now turn our attention back to The Premier League, and it's a big match against Manchester City on Sunday, which should be fantastic,” he said.

"We've got an extra day to prepare and it will be a good test for us."