Barry sympathy for Heskey

While Barry's move to Manchester City was for a new challenge, Heskey has concerns over his place in England's World Cup squad if he is not getting regular football at Villa Park, which could lead to a January departure.

"The World Cup is in the back of everyone's mind so I can understand where Emile is coming from," Barry said. "It's not just Emile, it's that time of year when you want to be playing regularly."

He added: "He has his place in the England team at the moment and won't want anything to change that. Playing regularly for your club can help you cement a place in the England squad."

Heskey is normally one of Capello's automatic choices but the England boss tends to leave out players who are not featuring regularly in the Barclays Premier League.

"He's struck a great partnership with Wayne Rooney in the qualifying campaign," Barry said. "His work-rate and the way he plays for the team is second to none.

"Wayne and the other attacking midfielders have thrived playing off him. He's a big part of the England team."

Last week Barry was left out of the team in Dnipropetrovsk and five days before that endured a hostile reception from Villa fans he left in the summer when he returned to his old club with City.

According to Barry, City players are braced for jeers from fans after the changes at the club that has seen them among the top spenders in the world. Joleon Lescott was even booed by England fans on his last appearance at Wembley.

"We've spoken about it among ourselves at City this season," Barry said. "People outside of the club may look at us in a different way and it is something the players, including myself, can deal with. It's important that we don't let it affect us."