EMILE Heskey could be set to make a shock return to Liverpool.

The Wigan striker has eyes on Champions League football after returning to the international scene in the past year and playing a crucial role in England's march to the World Cup finals.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and boss Steve Bruce is braced for bids for the former Liverpool star in January when the transfer window opens.

“When you are performing well speculation will come around,” Heskey told BBC Radio Five Live.

“A move to Liverpool would be lovely. Who knows what will happen. Let’s see how it goes.

“Everyone wants to play in Europe at the highest level.

“Everyone knows that I’m in the last year of my contract so speculation is bound to happen. You just have to take it with a pinch of salt and and carry on playing.

“I am just going to keep my options open and give my all for Wigan. In my position I can afford to do that.

“I’ve been in putting in some good performances and people appreciate that.”

Heskey will have a chance to impress Rafa Benitez in the Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield. And he may have to play as a lone forward after concerns over the fitness of his strike partner Amr Zaki.

Zaki was forced to pull out of Egypt's midweek World Cup qualifier with Djibouti with a calf injury and his chances of playing are rated only at 50-50.

Since earning a recall to the England side, Heskey has not been on a losing national side and has been credited with bringing the best out of Wayne Rooney.

Heskey's appearance in Minsk took him to the 50-cap mark, from which the striker has only five England goals to his name. But fans at the Dinamo Stadium even sang his name, rather than Rooney's, when he set up the United forward just after the interval.

"That was great," said Heskey. "The fans got behind me perfectly. "

His efforts were also appreciated by Rooney, who added: "His work-rate was unbelievable; he held the ball up well; he created a goal - and I think he is a vital part of this England team."

Maynor Figueroa and Wilson Palacios arrived back in Manchester on Friday morning after overnight flights from Honduras, while Bruce must also assess the fitness of Jason Koumas and Paul Scharner before naming his starting line-up.

Liverpool will be missing three key players for the game.

Out for 10 to 15 days with a hamstring injury is striker Fernando Torres, who will also miss the Champions League midweek trip back to Atletico Madrid and the vital league fixture at Chelsea on Sunday week.

Also missing will be winger Ryan Babel, who picked an ankle injury on international duty - and boss Rafael Benitez must decide on a replacement for defender Martin Skrtel, out until Christmas with a knee injury sustained against Manchester City.

Daniel Agger or Sami Hyypia will come into defence, while Dirk Kuyt will probably partner Robbie Keane up front. Yossi Benayoun could also come in.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera, Kuyt, Keane, Ngog, Pennant, Lucas, Cavalieri.

Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kapo, Heskey, Zaki, Boyce, Brown, Camara, De Ridder, Kilbane, Koumas, Kupisz, Taylor, Pollitt, Kingson.

Liverpool league form: DWDWW

Wigan league form: WDDWL

Key opponent: Steven Gerrard - will be full of confidence after his goal for England and dangerous enough anyway

Prediction: Liverpool 2 Wigan 1 - The Latics will do well to get anything out of this one

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 16/1 on Wigan winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

Tweet