World Cup qual - Heskey jaded after Kazakh trip

Eurosport - Mon, 08 Jun 17:40:00 2009

England striker Emile Heskey has admitted he is tired and suffering from jet lag after returning from a World Cup qualifiier in Kazakhstan.

2009 England Emile Heskey - 0

The Aston Villa man scored in the 4-0 win in Almaty, but said he is jaded after a 7,000-mile round trip which saw England travel across 10 time zones.

Fabio Capello's men face Group 6 whipping boys Andorra at Wembley on Wednesday, but the 31-year-old Heskey expects a tough game.

"It's going to be a difficult game after coming back from Kazakhstan, we're very focused and hopefully we'll get the result," he added.

"It's difficult with the time difference, I've felt tired all the time, but hopefully it'll be okay."

England have won all six of their qualifiers to date and another three points will see them move to the brink of qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Heskey paid tribute to strike partner Wayne Rooney after both were on target on Saturday, which for Heskey meant a first competitive international goal for seven years.

Rooney and Heskey have established themselves as the first-choice partnership under coach Fabio Capello, and the target man man is delighted with how things are going.

"Wayne Rooney's a great player, he's shown it for his club on many occasions and for England so it's working well," he said. "It's nice to get on the scoresheet but I'll keep plugging away and hopefully get some more."

While Heskey has re-established himself in the squad, there is still no place for fellow striker Michael Owen.

There have been rumours the Newcastle man could be a target for Villa this summer, and Heskey would relish linking up with his former Liverpool and England strike partner.

"It would be nice," added the 31-year-old. "Obviously Michael's a great player, he's shown that on many occasions. He's been knocked and got up and performed again."

PA Sport / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 19 of 39

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  1. What an incredible dork, not only for being a whiner­ but this is a real chestnut, "we're very­ focused and hopefully we'll get the result,"­ he added. This is Andorra we are speaking about at­ Wembley no less. Will someone tell this clown to keep­ his mouth shut???

    From Anna, on Mon 8 Jun 4:32PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Grow a brain Scouse Hater. Bell end.

    From Adam, on Mon 8 Jun 4:29PM

  3. How can he be tired when hes on his arse most of the­ time???

    From Lee, on Mon 8 Jun 4:07PM

  4. In reply to aleksicn, why would Germany (the team)­ travel to Australia and back to Germany for a double­ header within 5 days?

    That's what world groups are­ all about, or supposed to be :) Kazakhstan should be­ playing India, Pak, Iran and the rest.

    And also­ admitting to being tired after being asked a very­ specific question by a journalist is what I would call­ plain honesty...

    From Kevin, on Mon 8 Jun 4:01PM

  5. 10 time zones? Almaty is 4hrs ahead of the UK, they­ would've flown across 3 time zones on the way out­ and then another 3 on the way back so surely it's 6­ time zones!
    Well spotted Spleen, I only realised­ 'Euro 2008' once you'd mentioned it.

    From adam b, on Mon 8 Jun 3:58PM

  6. You can't win any major football competition with­ Heskey - This year he scored 5 goals in 34 games and­ for that he's in the England squad ? Surely­ something is very wrong here.

    From alex, on Mon 8 Jun 3:53PM

  7. pointless article. long distance travel has become part­ of world football nowadays, and many players suffer­ from jet lag. the fact that Heskey is suffering is­ nothing special. Heskey should just focus on his job,­ stop whinging, and deal with it. you want jet lag, try­ travelling from Australia to Germany!

    From aleksicn93, on Mon 8 Jun 3:50PM

  8. Poor Emily your avarage joe has to work a 40hr week­ when they come back with jet lag in economy class, hes­ pampered in 1st class and can sleep anytime of day he­ likes usually an 8hr kip sorts out tirdness I feel so­ sorry for these slave like conditions footballers­ endure week in week out.

    From James, on Mon 8 Jun 3:44PM

  9. What a load of rubbish... this is one of your top­ stories Eurosport? Amazing.

    From James, on Mon 8 Jun 3:43PM

  10. Good player but stop moaning! Perhaps he should try a­ proper job.

    From freeforhowlong, on Mon 8 Jun 3:38PM

  11. A couple of days cures jetlag.

    From quatt47, on Mon 8 Jun 3:30PM

  12. Heskey's got jetlag, what a f**king amazing story. ­ I've had jetlag, oh @#$% here comes the paparazzi­ gotta go.

    From tlarocca09, on Mon 8 Jun 3:23PM

  13. Must be really tiring travelling in first class with­ them reclining seats, probably spent most of the flight­ lying on the floor of the plane

    From Paul J, on Mon 8 Jun 3:23PM

  14. EURO 2008 - Get a grip Yahoo

    From Spleen, on Mon 8 Jun 3:22PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    well, he really will have a good trip!!But
    Once I saw ­ him just enjoyed hot dating with a sexy rich female on ­ ""M i l l i 0 n a i r e l 0 v e s. c0 o00­ m" "

    From cherry d, on Mon 8 Jun 3:21PM

  16. EskiBoy!

    From joeypac662, on Mon 8 Jun 3:20PM

  17. Heskey has been solid all season for club and­ country...and scored a true strikers goal on­ saturday.....cant see micheal owen staying fit enough­ to deserve 55 grand a week....!

    From stuartxland, on Mon 8 Jun 3:17PM

  18. Stop moaning Emile get on with the job.. footballers?
    a­ Villa fan

    From james, on Mon 8 Jun 3:16PM

  19. I hate jetlag

    From neil e, on Mon 8 Jun 3:16PM
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