Emile Heskey has just returned to the international stage joining the three lions for crucial Euro 2008 qualifying games. However the England striker is now facing upto 6 weeks on the sidelines after a freak injury. The 29 year old Wigan striker limped off the pitch 9 minutes into a game against Fulham. Scans revealed a crack fracture of a metatarsal – the curse of the metatarsal continues for England.

The injury means Heskey will miss out on several games for Wigan. However, he will also be missing out on crucial qualifiers for England as they face Estonia and Russia in October. The news will come as a blow to England manager Steve McClaren who already has a host of injury worries. However, the blow will also be felt by fans since Heskey’s return led to much needed victories for the international side. Heskey’s form was so great that it sparked debate whether he should be chosen over Rooney if the player was to return to fitness.

Heskey is the latest of a long line of recent metatarsal injuries in the English side. Owen, Rooney, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Gary Neville and Joey Barton have all endured similar injuries.