Alex McLeish has been impressed with Emile Heskey and feels he still has a lot to offer Aston Villa in the upcoming season.
Heskey has made 64 appearances for Aston Villa since joining from Wigan in 2009 but he found his role reduced in the wake of Darren Bent's move from Sunderland in January.
With just one year remaining in his three-year deal, it was thought he would move away during the summer but new manager McLeish has been impressed with his form in pre season and intends to use his experience to his advantage.
However, he admits it will be hard to give the 33-year-old a game week in week out.
"Emile's experience is phenomenal. He has enormous experience," McLeish said.
"He has played for England, he has played for several top managers over the years so he has learnt a lot.
"Discarding his kind of knowledge and his skills would be crazy. I have to tap into a guy like that. I have to use him to the full.
"There is no guarantee that Emile will play every week - but he has certainly impressed me."