Heskey - Rooney link important

Heskey: Rooney understanding

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Emile Heskey is hoping his 'instinctive' understanding with Wayne Rooney will ensure he plays a part for England during the World Cup.

Three Lions boss Fabio Capello has in the past favoured a Rooney-Heskey partnership up front, but against Egypt on Wednesday the Italian gave Jermain Defoe a starting role alongside Rooney before bringing on Peter Crouch at half-time.

Crouch put in an excellent display and his two goals helped England to a 3-1 win over the Pharaohs at Wembley, continuing his impressive scoring record at international level.

The brace took the Spurs forward to 20 goals in 37 games for England, and aided his cause for a starting place alongside Rooney in South Africa.

However, Heskey, who has been capped 57 times, thinks his partnership with the in-form Manchester United striker will help his case.

"Wayne is a great player and has been in terrific form recently and hopefully he can keep going with that," he said.

"He has done a lot in his career already, considering his age, and he can go on to do even more.

"Whoever plays up front can make a good partnership - but the one with Wayne and myself has been quite successful in qualifying for the World Cup and it came to us both pretty naturally really.

"We do a lot of work in training when we're together but it is fairly instinctive when we're on the pitch.

"The manager has played his part in it, too. He lets everyone know how he wants them to play, so we all know what our jobs are and what team-mates have to do.

"That's why things went so well and the partnership has been a success."

Goal-shy

Heskey has made 21 appearances in the Premier League for Aston Villa so far this season but his form in front of goal has raised question marks about his value for England from certain quarters.

The 32-year-old has only found the back of the net three times in the league this term but points to his experience on the international stage.

"I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be going to the World Cup," he added.

"I have been to a World Cup, and been through it all, so hopefully that can prove helpful.

"There is experience in the squad and we have players who have been to tournaments.

"Some went to the last World Cup and had a good run there and a few others were at the one I went to in 2002 in Japan so we have that in our locker.

"That can only help to make sure we are prepared."