Boyce hails Heskey impact

Emile Heskey is being backed to shoot Wigan Athletic up the table by team-mate Emmerson Boyce.

The Latics stumped up £5.5 million to sign the striker from relegated Birmingham City over the summer and he has responded with three goals.

The 28-year-old also produced a powerful display in last week's 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City and Boyce praised the ex-Liverpool front-man.

"You've just got to look at him in training and in games, there's so much work he puts in for the team," Boyce told Sky Sports News.

"As a defender you don't want someone hounding you all the way through a game and that's what he does.

"He's a big physical lad, he gets his goals as well. He has got everything. I'm happy for him and hopefully he can continue scoring goals and shoot us up the table."

Heskey has recently been tipped for a recall to the England squad and Boyce has offered his weight to those suggestions.

He added: "I don't think he has ruled it out. He has got everything and I'm confident he can get back in the England fold."

Boyce is also a recent recruit at The JJB Stadium and the signing from Crystal Palace has been impressed with the work of manager Paul Jewell.

The full back continued: "You can't knock his achievements and what he has done with the club over the last couple of years.

"He proved last year what a good manager he is. To hear he has got a job for life is all the better as he's a great manager.

"He's an ambitious manager and wants the best for the players and the club. Hopefully we can have a good season this year and push on and see how far we can get."