Wigan boss Steve Bruce insists striker Antoine Sibierski's loan move to Norwich “is not the end of the road” for him at the JJB Stadium.The 34-year-old striker will be at Carrow Road until January but Bruce insists he can still force his way back into his plans.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce insists striker Antoine Sibierski's loan move to Norwich “is not the end of the road” for him at the JJB Stadium.

The 34-year-old striker will be at Carrow Road until January but Bruce insists he can still force his way back into his plans.

He said: “Sibi wanted this move because he wanted to play, which is something I totally understand.

“We have the option to bring him back in January, so no, it's not the end of the road here. The big problem when you carry a squad is that everyone wants to play, and it is difficult for a manager to find a balance.

“When you get to the age Sibi is, players just want to play regularly, not sit on the bench every week.

“Norwich were on his trail for six or eight weeks before the move went through. In the end, I let him make the decision of whether he went or not, and it was his call to go and play at Norwich. I admire him for doing that. I have no problem with that decision.”

t City Reserves were beaten 4-0 yesterday in a friendly at West Ham.

Former Cambridge United forward Jack Jeffrey scored twice, with Freddie Sears and Zavon Hines also on target.

The match was staged at the Hammers' Chadwell Heath training ground.

t City's Michael Spillane, on loan at Luton, played for Republic of Ireland Under-21s as they drew 2-2 against Portugal in their concluding UEFA Under-21 Championship tie in Madeira last night. Owen Garvan scored both goals for the Irish.