The former Birmingham boss is daring to dream despite comments from owner Dave Whelan to the contrary.

Whelan believes the best Wigan can hope to achieve among the elite is a top 10 finish.

Bruce is more ambitious as his side prepare to face Manchester United, the club he once graced as a player.

He said: "The chairman is an honest man and a realist and getting in the top six would be an unbelievable achievement.

"At Birmingham we were on the verge of doing that but failed to win any of our last eight games and fell away.

"There is always a surprise in the league. Bolton have done it, Blackburn have done it, so why not Wigan?

"We are lying in eighth position in the table if you take into account points taken from December 1. That's what keeps driving me on."

Bruce claims the enduring appeal of the top flight is that the competition keeps throwing up shock results.

He is hoping his team produce one tomorrow against a United side who are in sight of retaining their title.

Bruce said: "I don't think Kevin Keegan was right in saying the league is boring. Perhaps predictable is the word.

"We used to ridicule Scottish football by saying Celtic and Rangers were the only two teams up there.

"It is getting that way in the Premier League but the one thing I would say is it is the best spectacle.

"The beauty of the league is there is always a shock result or two."

Wigan are in good form going into the final league match of the season.

They extended their unbeaten run to five games with a superb victory against Aston Villa, which secured their top flight status for a fourth season.

Bruce is convinced his players will be energised by a full house at the JJB Stadium.

He said: "I am sure they are going to enjoy it. The attention of the whole football world is on this little town and our club.

"Can we stop the mighty Manchester United? It is a great occasion for all of us to be involved in."