Emile Heskey found it hard to cope after knocking Rio Ferdinand out of World Cup

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey, who is tipped to start in England's opener against the United States, has expressed his frustration after knowing that he put Rio Ferdinand out of the World Cup.

England skipper Ferdinand damaged knee ligaments in training when he tackled Heskey and the striker fell on his left leg.

The incident happened on Friday and was described as a freak accident by Ferdinand.

However, Heskey has found it hard to cope. "I spoke to Rio afterwards and he told me there was nothing I could do but it was still difficult for me."

"What happened was that I tried to turn the ball round the corner and fell backwards onto him but his leg was in a position where he couldn't actually move it. There was nothing you could do," The Sun quoted Heskey, as saying.

"Knowing he is out of the World Cup was very difficult. He is our captain and has been a great player through the years for England and at club level. It was just one of those things," he said.

England coach Fabio Capello believes that Heskey causes major problems for opposition defences, wearing them down with his physical style. And Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard always seem to be more effective when the Aston Villa striker is playing.