Heskey content to carry on doing Owen's dirty work

Were Emile Heskey an arrogant man, he would have an easy answer for his many critics: 'Look at the team-sheet'. While supporters and journalists alike query Heskey's place before every international, Sven Goran Eriksson unhesitatingly inks him in.

For the Swede's first three matches as England manager Heskey was a substitute, but by the conclusion of the World Cup qualifier in Albania Eriksson had seen enough. Heskey has started every international for which he has been available since, 17 of them. The October qualifier against Macedonia was the first competitive match he had missed for more than two years, a record only Paul Scholes matched.

Thus, though experienced observers again questioned his worth this week, comparing his return of four goals in 31 appearances with the potential of Wayne Rooney, Alan Smith and Francis Jeffers, there was never any doubt Heskey would play in Liechtenstein today.

In Rheinpark stadium he will partner Michael Owen, taking the bruises and creating space for his more heralded team-mate, just as he does for Liverpool. It is his preferred position but he will give just as honest a performance when in left-midfield, tracking back to support his full-back. The reality behind his abysmal scoring record is that he is frequently asked to do just that. His 31 caps boil down to 20 starts, only 12 of which were as a central striker.

Heskey was a very raw 19-year-old when Glenn Hoddle first called him into the England squad but it was at 21 that he won his first cap, as a late substitute under Kevin Keegan. For a while Keegan seemed to think he was a latter-day Andy Gray, sending him to rough up the goalkeeper as England tried to rescue a game by going route one. Then in early 2000 he was allowed to start and terrorised Nestor Sensini, the experienced Argentinian defender, with his pace and power on the ground.

Despite this he continued to be restricted to substitute appearances until Keegan resigned and Howard Wilkinson, remembering Heskey's early appearances on the flank at Leicester, played him on the left wing in Helsinki. Wilkinson was ridiculed but Eriksson has often followed suit. Both realised that, while an inconsistent crosser of the ball, he is worth including as he holds his position, works hard and, in a team with several players of smaller stature, his height is useful at defensive set-pieces.

Eriksson underlined this point yesterday when his faith was again doubted. "I have no worries about Heskey," he said. "He will be very important against Liechtenstein. They are big, strong lads and good headers.

"If you think about the World Cup, Heskey did a very good job. He worked very hard every game. When we were attacking he provided a physical presence. When defending many times he marked the sitting midfielder. He has been very important and I hope will continue to be. If I find a better striker with the same characteristics I would play him but I don't think we have one."

His view is echoed by Steven Gerrard. "I think people should get off his back," Heskey's Anfield team-mate said. "The criticism he gets is very unfair. He's not an individual player who is greedy in front of goal or goes searching for goals unnecessarily. He works for the team. He puts in a lot of good runs and holds the ball up well which you need as a midfielder trying to support the forwards.

"He does score some important goals but he's not an out-an-out goalscorer like Michael Owen. He does the dirty work and you need someone like that. A lot of Michael's goals come from Emile's work. They complement each other.

"He may one of those players who is only appreciated by other players," Gerrard added. "If you play with him, week in, week out, you realise what he does for the team. I like him in mine."

And what does the player say himself? Not much as a rule. Heskey lets his football do the talking but, as has been detailed, it is as unflashy as the man. Yesterday the 25-year-old was cajoled into sharing a few words and said: "When you play for England you are there to be criticised but I am happy with my performances. If I scored more goals I'd probably get less criticism, but if the manager's happy then I am."

Like everyone, he was steered on to the subject of Rooney. Like everyone, he praised the teenager. But Heskey also said he was ready to fight for his place. So far he has seen off Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler, Michael Ricketts, Kevin Phillips and, after being briefly displaced before the World Cup, Darius Vassell. Besides, if Rooney realises his potential, there is always the left-wing.