Emile Heskey: Leicester City return interests ex-England striker

Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey was heralded as one of the A-League's greatest marquee signings when he joined Newcastle in 2012

Former England striker Emile Heskey said he would rejoin Leicester City as a player if approached by the Premier League strugglers.

Heskey scored 46 goals in 196 games for the Foxes between 1994 and 2000.

The 36-year-old has already taken up a dual ambassadorial role with the Foxes since returning to England following two years with the Newcastle Jets in Australia's A-League.

"It goes without saying, I'd love to come," Heskey told BBC Radio Leicester.

Leicester, who have not scored in five games and are third from bottom, have room in their 25-man squad to add a free agent.

"It is a great club that allowed me to get to the platform that I got to," Heskey added.

"I was an England international when I was with Leicester so that was a great achievement."

Heskey came through the Foxes academy system before making a club-record £11m move to Liverpool in 2000.

Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey won the League Cup with Leicester City in 1997 and 2000

He scored a total of 110 Premier League goals in an English top-flight career that also saw him feature for Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa.

Heskey last played in April, but insists he is "fit enough" if Leicester manager Nigel Pearson considered calling him up to a side that have not won in seven matches.

The Leicester-born striker, who earned 62 England caps during an 11-year international career, believes the Foxes have the players to turn their flagging fortunes around.

"They have got a decent squad there, they just need that little pick me up, a little confidence," he said.

"It could be anything, just a spark to get going on a run to get out of it."

Leonardo Ulloa, Leicester's summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, is the top-scorer so far this season with five goals, while fellow forwards David Nugent, Chris Wood, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have all only netted once.

"They will obviously be questioning themselves, as professional footballers it is difficult because you will have ups and downs," said Heskey.

"You always have to have belief in yourself, but that will be battered all over the place once you are not scoring and getting a few critics on your back."