Melbourne Heart's Patrick Gerhardt and Newcastle Jets' Emile Heskey by the Yarra in Melbourne. Picture: Tony Gough Source: Herald Sun
THEY will bash and crash into each other and whine to the referee about the other for 90 minutes, but Emile Heskey and Patrick Gerhardt will relish today's personal duel at AAMI Park.
Despite nearing two decades as a battering ram Heskey, who has been a sensation for Newcastle Jets since signing from Aston Villa, said he can continue until he's 40.
The former England striker said contract negotiations with the Hunter Sports Group will begin within weeks, signalling his preference to stay.
Heskey, who turns 35 on January 11, stands 186cm and weighs 90kg.
Slightly shorter and less bulky but no less physical is Gerhardt, arguably Heart's best this season.
Their appetite for a contest was evident when they locked horns at AAMI Park six weeks ago.
They tussled in the air and on the deck that day and despite his inferior CV (Switzerland, Romania, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina) Gerhardt gave as good as he got.
Heskey recalled the Gerhardt duel fondly.
"I enjoyed it. It was a good battle and you've got to relish those challenges," Heskey said.
"I've played in England for how many years and that's what it's all about, plus I'm not a small lad.
"My toughest opponents would be Sol Campbell or Walter Samuel. They're big lads, bigger than me."
Gerhardt, who has added a physical edge previously missing at Heart, lavished praise on Heskey.
"He is the complete player. He is quick, he has a good shot, he can keep the ball," Gerhardt said.
"To play against Emile is a great opportunity and a great chance to see how much you have in you because he's very strong and he's played for big European clubs.
"He is a good team player and it makes it hard for the opposition to keep him under control.
"This is always one of my strengths, to fight. It doesn't matter if they're big or small. I like to battle and to win, of course."
Heskey, who has played all 13 games and scored seven times, revealed he is yet to meet Jets owner Nathan Tinkler but wasn't concerned by his financial concerns.
The former Liverpool and Leicester striker wants to stay in the A-League and said he could play for another five years.
"Physically and mentally I still feel I could play on. I could play until 38 and possibly until 40 if I can keep myself fit," he said.
"But I've got kids and I've got to be thinking about them and watching them grow up and play.
"I hope so (I stay at the Jets). We'll have to sit down with the owners in January and see where everything lies and I'll talk with my family.
"I haven't met Nathan but I've met Troy (Palmer, HSG's chief executive).
"The only thing we can control is on field. If it gets to the point where it's serious then I'm sure they'll let us know but no one has said anything up until now."
While the Jets haven't had issues scoring, only Sydney FC has conceded more (27 to Newcastle's 26).
The Jets lie four points ahead of bottom-place Heart, but Heskey said the table isn't a true reflection of the home side's season thus far.
"Heart are a strong team. They're on the bottom but the way they've played doesn't show that," Heskey said. "So we've got to stay focused and fingers crossed we can find that elusive clean sheet."
Having been to four major tournaments (two World Cups and two Euro championships) and copped criticism for much of his career, Heskey knows what pressure is.
He said unrealistic expectations for England ahead of any tournament is par for the course.
"I enjoyed every minute of it," he said.
"You put pressure on yourself and pressure spurs you on, but we always had this knack of going into tournaments thinking we are the best and should win. But the FIFA rankings say we're the ninth or 10th best."
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