Manchester United are tracking the midfield pair, while Valencia is also believed to be interesting Liverpool.

Bruce accepts it would be impossible to stand in their way if either United or Liverpool came calling with big-money offers.

But he wants them to think carefully about the next step in their careers, fearing they wouldn't be first-team regulars if they moved on.

Wigan boss Bruce told the Evening Post: "I think Wilson and Antonio are flattered by the interest.

"They are playing well to attract the interest of the big clubs, and my big fear is if the big clubs put money on the table, it would be hard to keep them. How can you deny the two kids such an opportunity?

"But what I hope for another year at least is they can stay here and keep learning their trade.
"If and when they do go, I hope they then go straight into a team rather than just being part of a squad.

"That is imperative for both – if they weren't playing regularly I think they would get very frustrated.

"I don't want them to go yet as they are still young, still learning
their trade and can only get better.
"Being here together has helped them with the language situation, and
enabled them to settle well.

"They are the talk of the Premier League at the moment – every manager I speak to is raving about them.
"Saturday was one of their quietest games, yet the Reading staff were
saying what great players they were.

"What I would love is to keep them here for another year or two, although it will be difficult if the big clubs come knocking."
If Palacios decides to stay put, he's likely to be one of three Honduras inter-nationals at the JJB Stadium next season.

Latics general manager John Benson is in Central America at the moment
negotiating transfers for Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas.
Left-back Figueroa is approaching the end of a loan spell at Wigan from Deportivo Olimpia, while midfielder Thomas plays for the same club.

Bruce said: "We are tying up the Figueroa deal and something else we've got going in Honduras.
"It has been difficult for Maynor so far. Because of the position we are in, I've tended to go for experience and a bit of know-how.

"It would be fantastic to be safe by now and play him in a couple of games.
"And I have detected over the last month that he is coming to the fore – he has all the attributes to be a good player."

Meanwhile, Latics fear that the injury suffered by Mario Melchiot against Reading could be worse than first thought.
The skipper has flown to Holland to see a specialist today after damaging his groin.

Any surgery would put Melchiot's place at Euro 2008 with Holland in serious doubt.
Bruce said: "It looks like he has taken tendons off the bone and that isn't good – we're weighing up if he needs an operation.

"It's a bit too early to talk about his chances for the European Championships, and of course he'll be desperate to be involved in such a big tournament.
"But if the diagnosis is that he requires surgery, we have to do what is best."