Wigan manager Steve Bruce has described Saturday's home clash with Sunderland as a 'six-pointer'.

The two teams successfully battled against the drop last season and are eager to get themselves clear of this year's survival scrap as soon as possible.

Wigan enjoyed a 5-0 victory over one of the relegation favourites, Hull, last time out, and Bruce believes points are already important in the battle for top-flight survival.

He said: "It's one of those games you can't afford to lose and Roy Keane will be saying the same thing."

Bruce moved to bolster his squad this week with the Latics set to seal the signing of goalkeeper Richard Kingson after having a medical at the club's training ground.

Having let third-choice keeper Carlo Nash join Everton on transfer-deadline day, Bruce turned to Kingson, who was a free agent after being released by Birmingham.

Bruce signed the 30-year-old Ghana international last summer while still Birmingham boss, and although he made just three appearances for the Blues, Bruce remains a big admirer.

"He was always in the back of my mind when we let Carlo Nash go to Everton," he said.

"So we're delighted to have brought in Richard on a two-year deal and he'll be a good acquisition for us."

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