Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey hopeful he will make Fabio Capello's World Cup 2010 squad

Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey is "keeping his fingers crossed" that England manager Fabio Capello will name him among his 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer, even though he did not feature for the Three Lions during their come-from-behind 3-1 victory over African champions Egypt at Wembley in an international friendly on Wednesday evening.

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Draw £33.00

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Draw £33.00

England £21.00

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Draw £32.00

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Jermain Defoe partnered Wayne Rooney in attack, and substitute Peter Crouch emerged as the difference-maker as the leggy Tottenham Hotspur targetman struck twice to seal the victory and extend England's winning run at home to eight consecutive games.

Capped 57 times, Heskey hopes his experience at World Cup level will aid his cause for inclusion, as the Villan - often described as a 'nuisance' player in opposition penalty areas - explained in The Birmingham Mail: "I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be going to the World Cup.

"I have been to a World Cup and been through it all, so hopefully that can prove helpful.

"There is experience in the squad and we have players who have been to a tournament. Some went to the last World Cup and had a good run there, and a few others were at the one I went to in 2002, so we have that in our locker. That can only help make sure we’re prepared."

The 32-year-old, who has seven international goals to his name, added: "Everyone is looking forward to it because it’s coming to that time when the World Cup is round the corner and everyone wants to be involved."

"Wayne is a great player, and has been in terrific form recently, and hopefully he can keep going with that. Whoever plays up front can make up a good partnership, but the one with Wayne and myself has been quite successful in qualifying and it came to us both pretty naturally really.

"We do a lot of work in training when we’re together, but it is fairly instinctive when we’re on the pitch.

"The manager has played his part in it too. He lets everyone know how he wants them to play, so we all know what our jobs are and what team-mates have to do.

"That’s why things went so well and the partnership has been a success, I think," concluded the striker.