Bruce was expected at a press conference in Wigan today but did not appear, after what Spencer claimed was an issue between the former Manchester United defender and the midlands club.

The move is on hold until the problem is resolved, although Wigan are hoping to make an announcement tomorrow.

Spencer said: "We thought we would be announcing the new manager this afternoon - and, as you all know, it was going to be Steve Bruce.

"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 (Dave Whelan) is desperate that we have a manager in place and he hopes 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.

"We did have a list (of candidates), but Steve is our number one choice.

"We definitely want him, and he wants to come to Wigan. He is very upset, because we hoped to have him appointed today - but nothing is going to happen today."

Asked if Bruce's plan to take Eric Black - his number two at St Andrews - with him to the JJB Stadium had influenced the delay, Spencer replied: "It is nothing to do with anything else - just between Birmingham and Steve."

Whelan revealed on Sunday that his club had agreed a £3million compensation package with Birmingham for the 46-year-old's services.

It would be Bruce's second spell at Wigan following a brief period at the end of the 2000-01 season - and he would inherit a team second bottom in the Barclays Premier League.