Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey says he never gave up hope of winning his England place back.

Heskey said: "I never thought my chance had gone. I always kept believing in my ability and you can never give up. You have to wait for when the manager decides he needs you.

"You can't ever think your chance has gone. I never took advice from anyone when I was out of the squad but the manager has showed that with bringing back David Beckham and David James, that there are chances. You can never give up.

"It was nice to get back out on the field for England. I knew I could fit back into the side. There was pressure on us going into the games but we tried to remain relaxed and it showed on the pitch.

"It is just nice to have options for the manager. There is Wayne Rooney coming back. But he has got Andrew Johnson, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, so he has plenty of good options."