Heskey gets Bruce backing for England

STEVE BRUCE believes Emile Heskey deserves to be part of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s World Cup plans after claiming the Birmingham striker “is a better centre-forward than Peter Crouch.”

Heskey’s chances of earning an England recall for the 2006 finals in Germany appear to be fading fast, with Eriksson admitting only three places are still up for grabs next summer.

Crouch is clearly favoured at present by the Swede, despite a recent dismal goal drought for Liverpool which only ended with two goals against Wigan last month.