Heskey Hamstrung

Last updated : 30 March 2009 By Tom Vickers
Emile Heskey has been ruled out of England's crunch qualifier at home to Ukraine on Wednesday night after injuring his hamstring against Slovakia.

The Villa striker opened the scoring in Saturday's friendly at Wembley on Saturday but was forced off after just 14 minutes.

He has not been in the best of form for his club, but the powerful frontman managed to net for the national side and he would have been hoping to build on that confidence boost.

Unfortunately, Heskey's luck quickly ran out and he could now miss Villa's game at Old Trafford on April 5 and beyond.

He has been sent back to the Midlands for further assessment and his Martin O'Neill will be hoping that the injury is minor.

As for Fabio Capello's England, Wayne Rooney, who netted twice against Slovakia, is likely to start up front on his own against Ukraine with Steven Gerrard playing a supporting role.

Peter Crouch provides an alternative option but like Heskey his fitness is not what it should be.