Heskey hopes qualifying form will earn place in squad

Heskey hopes to be on the flight to South Africa this summer despite an inconsistent season at Aston Villa (GETTY IMAGES )

Emile Heskey is hoping Fabio Capello's memory is more long-term than short and that his partnership with Wayne Rooney during England's World Cup qualifiers will ensure his place in the squad for this summer's finals in South Africa.

Heskey has had an inconsistent season at Aston Villa and on Wednesday night Fabio Capello preferred Jermain Defoe and then Peter Crouch to partner Rooney during the 3-1 win over Egypt at Wembley. Heskey, however, can point to his experience gleaned over 57 caps and the productive combination he has forged with Rooney in the past as reasons why he should be part of Capello's plans this summer.

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

"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."

Heskey has seldom been at his best for Villa this season because of injuries and realises there's a chance he will not be South Africa-bound: "I'll be keeping my fingers crossed," he said. "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."