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Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce has hailed striker Emile Heskey for his performance in England's 4-1 victory in Croatia in their midweek World Cup qualifier.

The 30-year-old Latics ace led the line superbly for Fabio Capello's side, helping England to an impressive and comprehensive win in Zagreb.

Bruce said: "I'm absolutely delighted for him and I'm delighted for the club that a player of humble Wigan Athletic led the line for the country so magnificently.

"I've been saying it for years now that I think he's England's best striker of his type, a traditional centre-forward.

"By that I mean somebody who leads the line, is good in the air, holds the ball up, he's big, strong and powerful and he brings people into the game.

"He's the focal point of the team if you play to his strengths, which England did when we saw the best of Emile Heskey.

"You could see Wayne Rooney enjoyed playing with him, as do Michael Owen and Jermain Defoe, and when he's playing like that there's nobody better."

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