Heskey in McClaren's sights

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Wigan striker Heskey was handed a shock recall to the international fold for the qualifying double-header against the Israelis and Russia on September 12.

"Emile is a player with a lot of international experience and has played many times with Michael Owen in the past," McClaren told the Football Association's official website www.thefa.com.

He added: "He has been in good form for Wigan this season. He played very well against Sunderland recently and I saw him play well against Newcastle on Saturday.

"While he has been out of the squad for a few years, I have spoken with (Wigan manager) Chris Hutchings who has been hugely impressed with him and I think he deserves to be recalled.

"We need his experience at this time."

Heskey earned the last of his 43 caps against France in the Euro 2004 finals, while his previous call-up was for the matches with Azerbaijan and Northern Ireland in March 2005.

With Wayne Rooney injured and Peter Crouch suspended for the game with Israel, Heskey now finds himself back in the spotlight.

It was the fact Owen played off a big target man in the 1-0 win over Wigan on Saturday - initially Mark Viduka in the first half and Shola Ameobi in the second - that has led to McClaren's call for Heskey.

With two goals in his last two games, including a headed winner over the Latics, Owen is certainly back on form and fit again following his long lay-off with a knee injury. "I've watched him in the last couple of games, and he looks very sharp," added McClaren. "He is going to be a massive player up front for us over the next two games."