Steve Bruce appears no closer to being unveiled as Wigan Athletic's new manager with complications over his departure from Birmingham City still ongoing.

Bruce was due to be announced as the club's manager at a press conference yesterday, only for his appointment to be put on hold due to an 11th-hour issue between the 46-year-old and his former club.

And it is believed that Bruce is being prevented from becoming the new Wigan manager by a financial dispute between himself and former club Birmingham.

The delay has been caused by a wrangle over an advance payment of £225,000 by Bruce for image rights. That is despite the fact they are due to receive £3 million in compensation, with £2m payable immediately, and another £1m due if Bruce keeps Wigan in the Barclays Premier League.

Birmingham are now refusing to sanction Bruce's move and are prepared to take legal action to stop it going through.

However, David Gold, the Birmingham chairman, was unable to confirm when the situation will be resolved, and admitted he was as much in the dark as anyone else.

"The problems will be solved in due course," Gold said.

Asked about a time-frame for Bruce's departure to be confirmed, Gold added: "I really don't know at this stage, I am as much in the dark as you are."

Brenda Spencer, Wigan's chief executive, insisted Bruce remained their first choice candidate to replace Chris Hutchings.

"Unfortunately something has come up. It is an issue between Birmingham and Steve and, until it is resolved, we cannot announce him as our new manager.

"Our chairman is desperate that we have a manager in place and he is hopeful that something will happen in the next 24 hours.

"I think we just have to sit tight, hold fire and hope that something will be resolved.

It has been two-and-a-half weeks since Hutchings' departure and officials are keen to get Bruce on board as soon as possible.

However, the ongoing delay means it is looking increasingly likely that caretaker boss Frank Barlow will be in charge for Saturday's daunting trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.