Emile Heskey ready for surprise Anfield return in FA Cup

Heskey never imagined that he would get another chance to play on Merseyside after he decided to leave England and play in Australia when he signed for Newcastle Jets back in September 2012.

The former England striker enjoyed some of the best moments of his career when he made an £11m move to Liverpool from Leicester City back in 2000 and will never forget being part of the side which won The FA Cup a year later.

The last time Heskey was at Anfield, he was working as a television pundit, but he then surprised everyone in football when he made the move to join Bolton back in December.

And the 37-year-old is now hoping to help the Championship club cause a major upset and make it a miserable afternoon for some of his former team-mates.

Heskey said: "It's a wonderful thing to go back. I'm 37, I'm not a young lad, so to go back and play at Anfield is a great thing.

Heskey in action against Arsenal in The Final of 2001

"It wasn't long, a few months ago, when I was doing LFC TV so to actually be going back there and putting my boots on and playing against Liverpool is wonderful.

"I've thought about it, the fans were wonderful to me while I was there so I'll hopefully get a good reception and play my heart out."

Heskey admits he was surprised to hear that former England captain Steven Gerrard would be leaving Liverpool to sign for LA Galaxy at the end of the season.

But whilst he backs his former Anfield team-mate's choice in the long term, having tasted football abroad himself, he still feels Liverpool would benefit from Gerrard being about for another season.  

"I believe he's probably leaving maybe a year or so too soon," revealed Heskey. "But he's probably weighed up the options, looked at everything and thinks right now is about the right time."

Bolton boss Neil Lennon has no doubts that the Liverpool fans will give Heskey a good reception on his return to the club and hopes his experience, alongside that of Eidur Gudjohnsen, will help settle the nerves of the younger players in the Bolton team.

Heskey in action for Bolton against Wigan Athletic in the Third Round

Lennon said: "Liverpool fans respect their ex-players and he will get a great reception.

"There is plenty of experience in the squad, players who have played at the highest level.

"Heskey and Gudjohnsen have been really good influences on and off the pitch. We will bring them to chat if we need to. Certainly Eidur will voice his opinion and add little bits of advice.

"Emile has been fantastic since he walked through the door, which is a pleasant surprise. He had a bit to prove when he walked through the door."