Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey is confident of making his comeback next month.

The burly ex-Liverpool star hopes he can return within the next five weeks - just in time for England's match with Croatia on November 21.

Heskey, 29, said: "When I had the operation, the doctor told me it would be between six and eight weeks before I was playing.

"You never know, once I get the boot off, it might have healed a little bit quicker.

"I hope I'm a quick healer, although I've never had anything too serious before in my career.

"The doctor thinks it was something which had been going on for a while and this was the last straw.

"It could have happened on the training ground or during a match - it was just one of those things you put down to luck or a lack of it.

"Now I'm having to be patient. The protective boot comes off next week and then I can start putting my weight through the foot.

"That is when I'll know more about when I can start to step things up a bit."