Heskey digs deep for Leicester

Heskey was a favourite at Filbert Street

Former Leicester striker Emile Heskey is donating a six-figure sum to aid a consortium's buy-out of the cash-strapped Foxes.

The group, led by former England and Leicester striker Gary Lineker, is aiming to raise £5m to take over and run the club.

Heskey left Filbert Street for Liverpool in March 2000 for an £11m club-record fee.

Heskey contacted the consortium unprompted through his agent and offered £100,000 to boost their coffers. Lineker's group still needs to raise a further £3m to complete its bid for ownership.

Why Gary Lineker is helping his former club

It is hopeful that Heskey's actions will persuade more potential benefactors to come forward.

Acting football club chairman Martin George said: "This is obviously very good news for us and a great help.

"Like Gary, Emile Heskey has not forgotten the club that set him on the way to the top and wants to lend his support in a very positive way.

"I think it is fair to say we are very pleased and encouraged with Emile's move.

"He was not approached and contacted us off his own bat. That shows the depth of his willingness to help the cause," George added.

The Foxes have been hit by financial trouble since their relegation from the Premiership at the end of last season.

Last week, the players agreed a wage deferment package to ease the financial plight of the club, which is believed to have debts of £30m.

On 23 October, the High Court appointed administrators Deloitte and Touche to take over the running of the club.

The next day the club announced it was making up to 30 of its non-playing staff redundant, including chief executive Steve Kind and director of operations Charles Rayner.