Wigan may lose Emile Heskey at the end of the season, says boss Steve Bruce

Emile Heskey has gone from being a scapegoat to one of England's best-loved strikers - and left Wigan boss Steve Bruce fearing he is about to become one of football's most wanted men.

Heskey rolled back the years and silenced the jeers with a superb display for England in midweek.

Bruce, who stood by Heskey in his wilderness years, now knows he could lose him in the next transfer window.

The Latics boss said: "I've said for years that Emile is the best old-fashioned striker of his type.

"I asked Michael Owen before I signed him and he said he was the man he most liked to play with - I'm sure Wayne Rooney and young Theo Walcott feel the same. He brings people in the game, he is almost the complete striker. If he could just score more goals he would be the most highly-rated around.

"At one stage Emile was the kicking block, which was unfair, but it's typical of him that he has the strength of character to come back and never let it bother him. I am sure now that Fabio Capello is looking at him and thinking 'why change?'"

But every time Heskey enhances his reputation it brings him closer to moving on again.

Bruce said: "Emile is exercising his right now to let his contract run out, he has 10 months left here and we will have to wait and see. It's a concern, but he just wants to leave it and that's his prerogative.

"I would like him to stay and we will do what we can. He is happy in his surroundings, but who knows?"

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