And had England pipped Sweden for top spot they would now be facing similar conditions in Oita in the heat of the afternoon against Senegal on Sunday.

Instead, Sven-Goran Eriksson's side can look forward to playing in more comfortable conditions when they face Denmark in Niigata on Saturday evening.

Heskey said: "It was so hot against Nigeria, certainly the hottest conditions I've ever come across in my career and you had to take on as much water as possible to help you rehydrate.

"That kind of weather certainly a lot out of you and it was to the credit of the lads that they managed to cope with the conditions so well and did well to get through the game.

"But the fact we will now be playing in the evening on Saturday should be to our advantage although we know Denmark are a very strong side - just like us."

Heskey is aware that the first round exit of joint favourites Argentina and France has opened up the World Cup but he is taking nothing for granted.

He said: "Everyone wants to knock us but we are still in there fighting and we have a chance of making progress.

"The main thing was that we came through our group - we always had the confidence in ourselves that we would be able to do that.

"Now we're onto the next stage and the competition has opened up with the exit of France and Argentina who were probably the favourites when we first came out here.

"But it also shows just how strong all the other countries are. There have been other shock results and every game is on an equal par almost.

"We will be taking every game as it comes, just concentrating on doing well in that and then going onto the next in the same frame of mind."

Heskey is happy to have been back up front alongside Michael Owen after operating in a left-sided midfield role in the first match against Sweden.

He said: "I feel it has gone all right for me. I feel I did a good job out on the left wing but my position is up front. I'll do a job wherever the manager wants me but I feel more comfortable up front."