ASTONVILLA

Emile Heskey has admitted he is considering leaving Aston Villa in order to preserve his place in England's World Cup squad.

Heskey, 31, only joined Villa from Wigan Athletic in January, but is concerned that a lack of first-team action could cost him his place on the plane to South Africa next summer.

Head coach Fabio Capello has already warned his players that their international places depend on club form.

"I'm happy to be playing for England and, obviously, not playing at club level is difficult," he told the Guardian.

"It's something I will have to look at when I get back and try to address it."

The former Leicester City, Liverpool and Birmingham City striker has also dropped a strong hint that he could push for a move when the January transfer window opens after starting just one league game for Villa so far this season.

He added: "I will have to sit down and think about my next move. I don't know whether I can get a World Cup place if I'm not playing for Villa.

"The manager (Capello) hasn't really spoken to me about it. I just have to keep performing well in training and keep going.

"But you always wonder about those kind of things, whether it will affect my chances. I will just have to try to address it when the time is right."