Reigan Heskey scored two goals to lead England’s under-19 national team to a 4-1 victory against Slovenia in a European Championship qualifier on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old forward opened the scoring in the 34th minute and added his second goal in the 85th minute to secure the win, according to a report by EXPRESS.
The result gives the Young Lions a successful start to the international break as qualifying matches continue across the continent.
England Defeats Slovenia with Goals from Howell and Meznar
Blaz Kovac scored an own goal in the 49th minute and Harry Howell added a goal in the 78th minute to complete England’s scoring.
Florijan Meznar temporarily leveled the score for Slovenia in the 39th minute before the English side pulled away in the second half.
England will host Belarus on Saturday, November 14, before facing Austria on Tuesday, November 17, in their remaining fixtures of the international window.
Development Plans at 1. FC Köln
At club level, the son of former striker Emile Heskey is being integrated gradually into the senior squad at 1.
Head coach René Wagner addressed the teenager’s progress in September regarding the physical demands of the Bundesliga compared to youth football.
“It has nothing to do with his undisputed talent,” Wagner said.
“He was a difference-maker in City’s youth ranks, but that was U19 and U21 football. In the Bundesliga, however, more is required than being incredibly good in one-on-one situations,” Wagner told EXPRESS.
Recent Minutes and Training Progress
Heskey recently recorded his first assist during a DFB-Pokal short appearance against Union Berlin, setting up Sebastian Sebulonson in a 5-0 win.
He has featured as a late substitute in four of Köln’s past five competitive matches as his playing time slowly increases.
“After the international break he came back with a lot of aggression in training,” Wagner said of the forward’s development.
“Every week is a step in the right direction,” Wagner told EXPRESS.
