Former Premier League striker to prolong stay in Oz

Emile Heskey has further fuelled intense speculation of an England recall by agreeing to a contract extension at A-League outfit Newcastle Jets; although he officially retired from international football in 2010, it is thought that the Leicester born striker wouldn’t turn down a personal plea from the charismatic Roy Hodgson. 

As reported by Football 365, Heskey has signed a contract extension at the Jets, extending his stay in Australia until 2014. Heskey proved to be relatively prolific for the New South Wales side to date, contributing 9 goals in 23 games in his first season at the club. The promise of regular club football is said to have enhanced Heskey’s previously doomed international prospects. 

Heskey has been the victim of much malignment throughout his career, despite both Liverpool and Wigan breaking club record transfer fees for his signature in 2000 and 2006 respectively. In no way prolific, and never one for the purist, the 35-year-old has been the scapegoat for many a cruel joke over the last decade. 

However, a move down under and away from the highly critical and sarcastic British football fan (yes I know I’m a hypocrite) appears to have revitalised Heskey, despite the well documented poor calibre of opposition.

So who knows, if big Emile can continue to score goals and act as the focal point for the Jets attack, perhaps a re-integration process into the England set up, culminating in a place on the plane to Brazil 2014, may still be in the pipeline? 

Michael Dobson

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