EMILE Heskey is tipping fellow front man Zach Clough to be one of the headline acts for Wanderers next season.

The 20-year-old burst on to the scene with a bang last season, netting on his debut in the FA Cup third-round tie against Wigan – his strike the difference in the Lancashire derby.

He went on to play another nine games and bagged six goals in total before a cruel shoulder injury ended his season prematurely in early March.

His sensational start to life in the senior side did, however, earn him a new contract with Wanderers boss Neil Lennon tying up the Denton youngster's services until 2017.

The academy graduate is scheduled to be back fully fit and raring to go when pre-season training gets under way.

And along with his former team-mate at youth level, Tom Walker, Clough is being tipped to shine again in 2015-16.

Heskey started just two matches up front alongside Clough – one of which was his scoring debut against the Latics – but has seen enough to predict big things for him at the Macron Stadium.

The striker told the club: "Zach's been great.

"He was a breath of fresh air and gave us a much-needed spark at the time.

"We missed him after he got inured.

"But for next season, players like him and Tom Walker are the ones the club are going to be able to build the team around."

Heskey also looks set to be part of that Wanderers squad next season with Lennon all but agreeing terms on a new deal for his former Leicester City team-mate after an impressive contribution in the second half of last season.

Having also scored on his debut in the Boxing Day derby win against Blackburn Rovers, the 37-year-old former England international managed niggling hamstring problems to figure 18 times – even standing in as an emergency centre-back on occasion.

His experience, along with that of fellow veteran Eidur Gudjohnsen, who also has the offer of a new deal on the table, will again be key as Lennon looks to develop the likes of Clough and Walker.

Heskey, for his part, has enjoyed his six months at the club to date and says the Whites fans have played a huge part in reinvigorating him after a short spell in Australian football.

He added: "It's been great since I joined and the fans have been wonderful.

"They have been unbelievable with me – they've really taken me into their hearts and that's a fantastic feeling to have, to know they appreciate my efforts."

nWanderers Under-21s development side lost their final league game of the season 3-1 against Arsenal at the Macron Stadium yesterday afternoon. Liverpool loanee Jordan Lussey netted for Iain Brunskill's side while first-teamer Serge Gnabry, Alex Iwobi and Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill were on the scoresheet for the Gunners.