By Dan Harrison

Stewart Downing insists team-mate Emile Heskey can look back fondly on his England career, after the striker chose to retire from the international stage.

Heskey decided to call time on his Three Lions career following his involvement in this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

While the 62-cap forward has often divided opinion, he has enjoyed glowing praise from a number of high-profile players and managers.

England strike partners Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney have regularly championed Heskey's cause, having benefitted immensely from playing alongside him.

Downing is another player who has witnessed the former Leicester City and Liverpool striker's tremendous team ethic first hand.

The winger was quick to praise Heskey's attitude and believes he can be proud of what he achieved at international level.

"If you look back on his career, especially with England I think he has done really well," said Downing. "If you see all the comments from some of the players he has played with, they have all been complimentary of him - some big names as well.

"He is a good player and a good lad as well and he must have his reasons why he wanted to do it [retire].

"Emile works very hard for the team and sometimes that probably goes a bit unnoticed.

"But the players love playing with him - he holds the ball up well and he does a lot of running off the ball, which helps the team to get results. He has been a good player over the years.

"Even when he is not in the team, his attitude is spot on. He gets on with it, he is a good professional and he has been a good player."

Downing stressed Heskey's importance to the claret and blue cause, as they look to be strong challengers once again in the upper reaches of the Barclays Premier League.

He believes the club and player could reap the benefits of his decision to retire from international football.

"We need him next season again and he is going to be a big player for us," added Downing.

"There are going to be chances for him to play again and we are going to need him.

"I think Emile might benefit. In terms of travelling a lot with England, he won't have to do that. It might be a benefit for both of us."

While Heskey, James Milner and Stephen Warnock made it into Fabio Capello's World Cup squad, Downing was one of the unlucky players who missed out.

It came as a huge disappointment for the former Middlesbrough man, who thought he had a good chance of at least making the provisional 30-man party.

He received a call-up from Capello shortly after returning from a broken foot but was not able to force his way onto the plane for South Africa.

"I was in the squads leading up to my injury," said the 25-year-old. "I came back from injury and they put me in the squad when I'd only played three games.

"That was a great confidence boost for me. I thought we had a good end to the season - the team were playing well.

"In the 30, there were quite a few surprises, not only in the squad but [players who were left] out of the squad as well.

"People who had not played, and who were out of form, were in the squad and it was a little bit strange to be honest.

"But that is his [Capello's] choice and if he went with the 30 that he thought was the strongest, then there is no complaining. There is no point moaning about it.

"I was very disappointed. I thought I had a chance of being in the 30, considering I had been in the squad before that."

A major overhaul of England's squad is predicted for the Euro 2012 qualification campaign and Downing hopes to force his way back into Capello's plans.

He has also backed several of his club-mates to impress the Italian by showing their quality for Villa.

"The only thing I can do is have a good season with Villa and make sure I get in those qualifying squads," Downing said.

"I think he [Capello] has been quoted as saying there will be a lot of changes and he will go a different way, but we will wait and see when he names that squad in August.

"For me and a lot of lads at Villa - Gabby [Agbonlahor], Ash [Ashley Young] and Stephen Warnock - we have got to keep playing well and that is the only way you can change their minds and get in the squad."