Emile Heskey is ready to quit Aston Villa in order to ensure he keeps his place in England’s starting line-up in the run-up to next year’s World Cup finals.
The striker has established himself as the first-choice partner for Wayne Rooney in the England attack, but is acutely aware that Fabio Capello wants all the players he takes to South Africa to be starting regularly for their clubs.
Heskey has started just one Premier League match this season with Villa boss Martin O’Neill generally preferring Norway’s John Carew alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor.
“I’m happy to be playing for England and, obviously, not playing at club level is difficult,” Heskey said. “It’s something I will have to look at when I get back and try to address it.”
Asked whether that meant he would seek a move in the winter transfer window, the 31-year-old replied: “That’s what I mean. I will have to sit down and think about my next move. I don’t know whether I can get a World Cup place if I’m not playing for Villa.”
Despite Heskey’s lack of game time with Villa, Capello has kept faith with him as he believes his physical presence and ability to hold the ball up creates space for the likes of Wayne Rooney.
England round off their qualifying campaign against Belarus tomorrow.
With Rooney ruled out of the match by a calf injury, Capello may use Steven Gerrard as the second striker.
Robert Green’s red card in Ukraine means he is suspended for the Belarus match with David James expected to start.
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