Just as Heskey spent three years on the sidelines after being ditched by Sven-Goran Eriksson, so Owen has been consigned to the history books by Fabio Capello.

In fairness to the Italian, Owen's fitness and form both leave something to be desired and mean he had no chance of being involved in the current World Cup double-header as England look to complete seven straight wins by beating Andorra at Wembley on Wednesday.

Currently out of contract after failing to halt Newcastle's disastrous slide into the Championship, Owen is attracting interest from Heskey's present club, Aston Villa.

And the former Leicester and Liverpool man is convinced if Owen can seal the right move, he will get the chance to add to his tally of 40 international goals, the fourth highest in England history.

"I do fear for Michael because he is not playing, which is the same situation I was in," said Heskey.

"But he's a great player who can re-establish himself again. If he joins a club, does well, he can come back.

"The manager has shown if you're doing well for your club, you can get in."

Villa manager Martin O'Neill knows he would have to make Owen the highest-paid player in Villa history if he was to lure him to the midlands.

Many fans would no doubt question the decision given the 29-year-old's career seems to have been on a downward spiral virtually from the moment he arrived at St James' Park.

However, Heskey knows how well the pair have performed together in the past.

The striker got his name on the scoresheet when Owen got a hat-trick in the 5-1 hammering of Germany in Munich eight years ago and supposedly Heskey had his old friend to thank for persuading Steve McClaren to end his three-year international exile in 2007.

"I am not sure whether Michael got me back into the squad but I would welcome the opportunity to play with him again.

"He is a great player and a great asset to have. He has shown that on many occasions."