Modern sports science has a lot to answer for.
It helped Teddy Sheringham and Ryan Giggs play beyond their 40th birthdays, and now perhaps, it could see a former Liverpool striker, and Premier League legend, continue his career.
Emile Heskey is not your typical journeyman striker.
The former Leicester City hitman looked set for the scrapheap when he was let go by Australian side Newcastle Jets in 2014, but made a shock move to Bolton on a deal at the time described as ‘short term’.
But now, almost 18 months later, and having also played with Eider Gudjohnsen, Heskey is still featuring at the Macron Stadium and the 38-year-old is hopeful he may have a bit left in the tank.
The bankrupt club are set to be demoted to League One next term, and Heskey isn’t sure if his future is at the club, but he wants it to be in football.
He told the Bolton News that he would love to be back at his peak, but playing football is what he adores.
“People ask if I want to bow out with relegation but I got relegated when I was 17. Go figure.
“It isn’t something I worry about. You have to look at how your body feels, how your family feels. That is how I’ll make that judgement.
“Everyone wants a 28-year-old Emile Heskey, including me. It’s a shame I haven’t got a younger brother.
“I know the game and I know what I am capable of now, and what I was capable of as a kid. I have still got a little bit to give.”
Heskey is likely to play up front for Wanderers tonight in their Championship clash with Charlton, where a loss will see their demotion confirmed.
He has made an astonishing 629 first team appearances across clubs such as Leicester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Wigan and Birmingham City.
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