• Premier League

Free agent Heskey 'would love' Leicester return

Emile Heskey burst onto the scene at Leicester before Liverpool stumped up £11 million for his services © PA Photos

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Emile Heskey has told Leicester City he is ready to return to the club and help them in their fight against relegation.

Heskey was born in the East Midlands town and started his career with Leicester, where he scored 46 goals in 198 games between 1994 and 2000 before joining Liverpool in an £11 million deal.

Following stints at Birmingham, Wigan, Aston Villa and Australian side Newcastle Jets, the 36-year-old has taken up a dual ambassadorial role at Leicester since returning to England.

Emile Heskey career stats

• 1994-2000: Leicester (198 apps, 46 goals)
• 2000-2004: Liverpool (228 apps, 60 goals)
• 2004-2006: Birmingham (78 apps, 16 goals)
• 2006-2009: Wigan (88 apps, 16 goals)
• 2009-2012: Aston Villa (111 apps, 15 goals)
• 2012-2014: Newcastle Jets (17 apps, 1 goal)
• Total: 720 appearances, 154 goals

Leicester have scored just two goals in seven matches since the famous 5-3 win over Manchester United on September 21 - and when asked BBC Radio Leicester if he would consider pulling on the blue shirt again, he replied: "It goes without saying, I'd love to come."

He added: "It is a great club that allowed me to get to the platform that I got to.

"I was an England international when I was with Leicester so that was a great achievement."

Heskey, who last played in April in the Jets' 2-0 A-League win over Adelaide United, says he is "fit enough" if Leicester manager Nigel Pearson called him up.

"They have got a decent squad there, they just need that little pick me up, a little confidence," said Heskey, who won 62 caps for England.

"It could be anything, just a spark to get going on a run to get out of it."

Leicester's summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion, Leonardo Ulloa, is the club's top-scorer this season with five, while fellow forwards David Nugent, Chris Wood, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have all only netted once.

"They will obviously be questioning themselves, as professional footballers it is difficult because you will have ups and downs," Heskey added.

"You always have to have belief in yourself, but that will be battered all over the place once you are not scoring and getting a few critics on your back."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd