Bent, 30, top scored for the Latics last season with seven goals but Bruce feels he needs a different type of player to link up with target man Emile Heskey.

"I think Marcus played his best football for us when we were without Heskey," Bruce said.

"We need someone who is going to score us goals, a striker who can play off Heskey, and hopefully we can do some business this summer."

Bent made 31 appearances for the Barclays Premier League club following his deadline day transfer last August.

Three of his seven goals came in the 5-3 victory over Blackburn Rovers.