Heskey hopes to help Rooney

Wigan front-man looking to play his part

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 10th October 2008

emile heskey england

Heskey: Perfect foil

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Emile Heskey is hoping to bring the best out of England strike partner Wayne Rooney.

The Wigan striker is in contention to start alongside his Manchester United counterpart for a World Cup qualifying double-header against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Having previously proved to be the perfect foil for the currently out of favour Michael Owen, Heskey is keen to make a similar impact with Rooney.

The signs are encouraging after the 30-year-old partnered his young accomplice during the impressive 4-1 mauling of Croatia in September.

Intelligent

Heskey said: "You never know until you actually play with someone what the partnership is going to be like but Wayne is a fantastic player.

"He's shown that over the years but it's only when you start playing with someone that you get a little understanding, knowing where he's going to run, where you need to be.

"You kind of build your game around your partner.

"I am hoping I am helping to get the best out of him. He's a fantastic talent so I hope I am getting the best out of him."

Heskey admitted: "It was different to the partnership with Michael in the sense that I'd played with him right from England U18s and U21s whereas with Wayne it was a new thing.

"You never know how it's going to pan out but Wayne is such an intelligent player and it's worked out quite well."

Prolific

Heskey is yet to find the target for his country since returning to the international fold last year and admits he is keen to get back among the goals.

He said: "I'm asked if my goalscoring record is misjudged because of what else I contribute but I don't see it that way because I'm a striker.

"Yes, I did play on the left a few times in Sven's (Goran Eriksson) reign and in club football I've moved around a bit from left, right and middle but strikers are judged on their goals.

"I would like to make my record a lot better. I've never really been a prolific scorer but I always want to improve on that."