Gaffer Hails 'magnificent' Emile Heskey after striker is recalled to the England squad
Wigan Athletic Chris Hutchings has described the return of striker Emile Heskey to the full England squad as 'fully deserved', 'a very proud day for the club' and a reflection of the player's 'magnificent consistency' in a Latics shirt over the past year.
Club record signing Heskey will add to his 43 England caps - earned during his time at Leicester, Liverpool and Birmingham - if he features in the crucial qualifiers against Israel and Russia at Wembley on September 7 and 11. It will be his first appearance in an England shirt in over three years, since the European Championships in June 2004.
If he plays, 29 year old Heskey will become the first full Wigan Athletic player in club history to reprtesent the senior England team; Chris Kirkland has played for England whilst at Wigan but his call up against Greece came whilst he was still on loan from Liverpool.
"I can honestly say that in all my time in the game, I haven't come across a better professional, a player who shows more dedication to his game or to his team mates," said Chris Hutchings.
CONGRATULATIONS! Big Hesk back in the England fold!
"Hesk has been superb for this club, on and off the field and I am absolutely delighted for him. We have encouraged him to keep believing in himself and I think his magnificent consistency is the reason for his recall. He's a class act and I'm absolutely chuffed for him.
"This is a very proud day for Wigan Athletic as a club, a sign of how far we have come over the past few seasons. But it is also very important in that it shows that a player can come here and enhance his international credentials."
England manager Steve McClaren said: "Emile is a player with a lot international experience and has played many times with Michael Owen in the past. He's been in good form for Wigan this season, he played very well against Sunderland and I saw him play well against Newcastle yesterday.
"While he has been out of the squad for a few years, I've spoken with Chris Hutchings who has been hugely impressed with him and I think he deserves to be recalled. We need his experience at this time."
