Reds striker happy with form

Last updated : 29 March 2003 By Chris Maxwell
The 25-year-old has received criticism when playing for both the Reds and the national team this season but he feels that his displays are worthy of a regular starting place for both club and country.

Heskey said: "There is always a lot of pressure on you for your place. People like Wayne Rooney, Darius Vassell and Francis Jeffers are coming up now to stake a claim. There is always pressure but you learn to deal with that.

"If I scored more goals and played less well then I'd probably get more headlines - but if the manager is happy with me, then I'm happy as well.

"I know that when you play for England you are there to be shot at, to be criticised but I am happy with my performances.

"If I play well and help Michael Owen to score goals, that's half of my job done. I think our games complement each other but then we have been playing together for a few years now, right back to youth levels with England."