Emile Heskey was in fine form before this campaign had even begun. Ebullient and relaxed in his surroundings at Wigan's pre-season press day, and acknowledged as the saviour of their presence in the Premier League, the 29-year-old engaged in a confident and colourful interview, providing a marked contrast to the reticent character familiar from Anfield and St Andrew's.
Then the customary question about an England recall arrived. Humour gave way to a polite but well-worn dismissal - "a younger man's game" was the gist of his reply - and tumbleweed rolled across the carpet at the JJB Stadium once more. Last night he admitted that he "had no idea that I was under consideration by the England manager until I got a call late on Saturday evening from Steve McClaren". "It was a fantastic moment," he said, "but I'm not going to be fazed by it."
If there is a downside for Heskey in his return for the European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Russia, 39 months since acquiring the last of his 43 caps in the Euro 2004 group game against France, it is that he must now prepare for the inevitable inquest into his goals ratio and work-rate. They are familiar themes for a striker who, away from the spotlight that threatened to consume him, is finally flourishing.
"Emile is a very forward-thinking person and so I think he probably grew tired of people asking him about his England past all the time," said the Wigan manager, Chris Hutchings, last night. "But he never lost faith in his ability and he never will. If he gets an opportunity with England in these games he will be determined to show it is his time again. The other England strikers know what he can bring to the team, and I hope he gets the chance to show everyone."
Heskey's self-confidence remains strong. "If I get the chance, I will prove it," he said. "I don't have any doubt - why should I? I still feel like I'm the same player as when I last played for England three years ago. I still believe in myself and I still believe that I'm a good player."
The striker, to use Hutchings' word, has been "colossal" throughout this calendar year even though his goals-to-game ratio continues to languish around the 1:4 mark in the Premier League. His recall as the best available foil for Michael Owen, to JJB regulars at least, represents a deserved reward for a successful reinvention.
The striker has rediscovered his purpose as the focal point of the Wigan attack. There was no such self-belief when he last wore the white of England at Euro 2004, having just spent another demoralising season in and out of a Liverpool team that had lost faith in their former record signing. The forward, signed for £11m by Gérard Houllier, operated out wide or in midfield for much of his final term at Anfield and it was not only tactically where Heskey became evidently withdrawn.
As the former Wigan manager Paul Jewell said following his decision to make Heskey Wigan's record signing, at £5.5m, in July 2006: "Liverpool, Man United, the top clubs, are very difficult to play for because you have to be a certain animal. Maybe he didn't believe in himself enough because I've seen him at close quarters and he's a top, top player."
Wigan, and its lack of pretence, unquestionably suits Heskey. Though he arrived at the JJB with Liverpool, England and an £11m transfer on his CV he was, as Jewell noted, without big-time delusions and his willingness to integrate new, vulnerable signings into the squad runs contrary to the aloof reputation he has arguably encouraged for himself. The Ecuadorean midfielder Antonio Valencia, for example, spoke no English when he arrived from Villarreal last season but was often invited to Heskey's home when there was Champions League football on television.
It was at Bramall Lane, and the final-day decider against Sheffield United last season, where Heskey produced his most selfless performance for Wigan. Although David Unsworthy's penalty won the game, many consider the striker responsible for preserving the club's top-flight status. Heskey has brought that confident form into this season and been instrumental in the club's encouraging start.
"We all think Emile could be greedier around the box," adds Hutchings. "But he will often see a team-mate in a better position and instincti vely try to find him. We'd like him to score more goals but it should not be overlooked how much he creates for us at Wigan. He takes so much pressure off the other strikers, he never hides and he always takes responsibility. He sets a precedent with his unselfishness.
"He had a great understanding with Michael Owen at Liverpool and I'm sure that can work again for England."
