Stiliyan Petrov believes England will “regret the day” Aston Villa team-mate Emile Heskey retired from international football.
Heskey, who quit following the World Cup, has turned down the chance to return to the fold for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro next week.
The 32-year-old was often criticised for his lack of goals for the Three Lions, scoring just seven times in 62 appearances for the national team, but Petrov believes the burly forward should not have been judged on his scoring record alone.
The Bulgarian told The Sun: “I think England will regret the day Emile retired.
“He has been a top Premier League striker for years. And every time he played for England he helped those around him – Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, everyone.
“Yet people have never given him enough credit. He’s very underrated. I know how hard he works and how important he is to our team. I also know how important he is for England.
“But sometimes you can only appreciate someone when they are gone – and I think that will be the case with Emile.”