Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce, who is resigned to losing England International Emile Heskey in the January transfer window, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur the likely destination for the target-man, has already started to look for his replacement, with the former Manchester United defender identifying Egyptian striker Mido at Middlesbrough to replace the England forward.

The Latics have already signed Mido’s International strike-partner Amr Zaki on loan from Zamalek this summer, with the striker already scoring four times in four games, which is the same tally as former Spurs player Mido, despite not being first choice at the Riverside Stadium.

25-year-old Mido is believed to be unhappy at not being a regular starter at the North East side, with it understood the striker would be open to a move to the JJB Stadium to partner countryman Zaki.

So should Heskey leave Wigan for White Hart Lane in January, the Latics are reportedly ready to pay Boro £6million to prise Mido away, but this could depend on Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate being able to bring in a replacement. Should Southgate find one then Mido is likely to make the switch to link-up with Zaki at the JJB in January.