Emile Heskey Rejects Chance To Come Out Of International Retirement & Play For England Against Montenegro

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has turned down the chance to come out of international retirement and play for England against Montenegro, according to the Press Association.

The 32-year-old forward had called time on his international career following the disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa this summer so he could focus on club duties.

But manager Fabio Capello watched the ex-Liverpool forward score the winner in a recent game against Wolves in Gerard Houllier's first Premier League match in charge of the Birmingham-based club.

The Italian had subsequently revealed in his pre-squad announcement media briefing that he would offer Heskey a chance to temporarily come out of international retirement and represent the Three Lions for a final time.

"I saw Heskey against Wolves and he played very well and he is in a good moment," he said.

"The new Villa manager [Houllier] knows him very well from his time at Liverpool. We will try to speak with Heskey. We need him at this moment. He is in good form.

"We are talking about him for the one game against Montenegro. We will try to speak with him. But he will decide."

However, Heskey has decided not to take up the former Real Madrid boss’ offer to make a temporary return to the international arena.

As a result, Capello's striking problems for the Montenegro game remain unsolved. It is still unclear whether key man Wayne Rooney will return from an ankle injury for the Euro 2012 qualifier, while Jermain Defoe and Bobby Zamora are both sidelined.

Heskey won 62 caps in an international career that spanned 11 years, scoring seven times for England.