Ash set for World Cup - Heskey; Ash's feet onfloor - Heskey.

Byline: Mat Kendrick

EMILE Heskey is tipping Villa team-mate Ashley Young to become an England regular in time for next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa. Young is in Fabio Capello's Three Lions squad for today's Wembley friendly against Slovenia and Wednesday night's home qualifier against Croatia. And despite the winger's disappointing full debut in last month's friendly draw in Holland, Heskey believes Young can make England's left-wing berth his own. The Villa targetman believes Young must take inspiration from his previous international appearance as a second-half substitute in the 6-0 thrashing of Andorra. Ironically, Heskey reckons the long-term foot injury to new claret and blue colleague Stewart Downing could be an ideal opportunity for Young. "Can Ash become a regular starter?" said Heskey, who is also in the squad along with James Milner. "Why not? You've seen people force their way in and fall away. Hopefully he can force his way in and stick there. "He's got that ability. He did really well when he came on against Andorra. You can see that he's got that confidence to go past any defender so he needs to keep that up. "Sometimes it takes an injury just for you to get your foot in the door and then that's your time to shine really." Heskey has praised Martin O'Neill for spotting Young's potential so early on and stealing a march on Villa's rivals by snapping up the former Watford winger.

O'Neill has since insisted he would not sell the 24-year-old for pounds 50 million following a summer of speculation linking him to some of the world's biggest clubs. And Young has shrugged off interest from the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid and pledged to see out his contract at Villa. "Ash has been linked with a few moves here, there and everywhere but he's firmly here and we want to keep himhere," said Heskey. "He's a good lad so I'm sure he can keep his feet on the floor, but if not there's a fewlads here who will do that for him. "He's done brilliantly and he's gone from strength to strength. It shows where he is in the con- fidence he's playing his football with and the confidence he's got in his own ability. "Obviously the manager was brilliant to spot that when he was at Watford and bring him here and now everybody's spotting it. "But it's a big thing for us because we've got him here and hopefully we can keep hold of him. "I think Ash is just comfortable with the way we play and the lads here. He's really found his feet here."

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Ashley Young .