The Wigan striker was included in Fabio Capello's squad for last month's friendly with the Czech Republic and kept his place for the away matches against Andorra and Croatia despite the return to first-team duties of Michael Owen.

At 30, South Africa 2010 probably represents Heskey's last chance of appearing on the biggest stage once more.

The passing of time is something the forward is acutely aware of, hence his desire to enjoy every minute.

"I am just enjoying my football at the moment," he told the FA's website.

"You have to really because it will pass you by very quickly.

"I know people who are coming to the end of their careers and they say you've just got to enjoy every minute."

A veteran of 46 caps, it appeared Heskey's England career would end after Euro 2004 when he was axed by Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Heskey was also ignored by Steve McClaren until last September, when he called on the Leicester-born player to help the Three Lions in their bid to reach Euro 2008.

The striker played a major role in guiding England to successive three-goal victories over Israel and Russia, only for the situation to turn sour as, with Heskey sidelined through injury, McClaren's team lost in Russia and tumbled out of the competition with a home defeat against Croatia.

Yet Heskey never gave up believing he would play for his country again, not even when he was overlooked by new boss Fabio Capello last season after pulling out of the Switzerland in February with that dreaded injury curse again.

"I never gave up, and that was shown when I got back into the squad for the two qualifiers with Israel and Russia," he said.

"You can never give up. You just have to hang in there and keep performing and hope that the manager comes knocking.

"And it is nice to see the manager still has faith in me and wants to put me in the squad."

Heskey has confirmed spirits within the England camp are high.

"The mood is very optimistic," he said.

"We have had a good preparation and hopefully we are going to do well.

"The coaching has been very good. The coaches go over the specifics really well and they make sure everything is nailed down."

It is hard to believe Andorra will provide stiff resistance on Saturday. The Croatia encounter four days later is a different proposition completely as England look to make amends for their absence from the European Championships.

"We are very determined," Heskey admitted.

"Obviously with us not going to the Euros, I think the tournament missed England a little bit, not just the team but more so the fans - they're brilliant when they travel.

"We're very professional and we go about every game the same, we want to win every game we play in.

"We just want to go out there and have a good performance and get the results we deserve."