Jets coach Gary van Egmond controversially rested Heskey and fellow veteran Michael Bridges from Sunday's match against the Melbourne Victory in the hope of keeping them fresh for the home fixture against Glory.

It was a decision that has been questioned by the media and fans after Victory smashed Newcastle 5-0.

To make matters worse, Heskey suffered a corked calf in the 2-1 midweek win over Phoenix in Wellington and exacerbated the injury during Jets training on Monday.

"Unfortunately, Emile has suffered a fatigue injury and won't be playing in Friday's game," Van Egmond confirmed in a fan forum on the Jets website on Tuesday morning.

"Scans today (Tuesday) will reveal more."

Jets physiotherapist Robert Dingle said the injury was a result of fatigue and travelling and was the exact situation the club was trying to avoid by having to play four games in 14 days.

"Soft tissue injuries, like Emile's strained calf, are a bi-product of fatigue," Dingle said on the Jets website.

"Emile got a cork in his calf in the Wellington game, add to that the travel, which have both contributed to the injury he sustained at a light training session on Monday.

"We obviously made the decision to rest him on the weekend to avoid injury, so it is particularly disappointing to lose Emile now."