England manager Steve McClaren has called Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey into his squad for the qualifiers with Israel and Russia.

The two fixtures will see Heskey given the chance to add to his 43 caps after a year of superb, consisten performances for the Latics.

Manager Chris Hutchings said: "I can honestly say that in all my time in the game, I haven't come across a better professional, a player who shows more dedication to his game or to his team mates.

"Hesk has been superb for this club, on and off the field and I am absolutely delighted for him. We have encouraged him to keep believing in himself and I think his magnificent consistency is the reason for his recall. He's a class act and I'm absolutely chuffed for him.

"This is a very proud day for Wigan Athletic as a club, a sign of how far we have come over the past few seasons. But it is also very important in that it shows that a player can come here and enhance his international credentials."

Good luck to Emile and England for the upcoming fixtures.