Cronulla forward Chris Heighington looks set to finish career in the English Super League

OFF-CONTRACT Cronulla forward Chris Heighington looks set to finish career in the English Super League and earn a Test jumper with England in the process.

Cronulla forward Chris Heighington looks set to finish career in the English Super League. Pic Brett Costello

OFF-CONTRACT Cronulla forward Chris Heighington looks set to finish his career in the English Super League and earn a Test jumper with England in the process.

The Sunday Telegraph can confirm Heighington is almost certain to depart the Sharks at season’s end to link with an English club.

The veteran back-rower’s manager Wayne Beavis said he was currently in negotiations with a number of teams, but stressed no deal had been finalised.

This comes as Heighington revealed he is in the mix to represent Wayne Bennett’s England at the Four Nations in October and November.

The former Wests Tiger attended a team dinner organised by Bennett in Sydney last month, where the coach outlined his plans for the future.

Heighington said it was a pleasure to be invited and remained hopeful he could add to his three Tests for England in 2011.

“It was really good to catch up with everyone there and hopefully I’m in the mix,” Heighington said of potentially donning the England jumper again.

“It would be an honour to represent my family and my dad who is really passionate.

Chris Heighington looks set to finish his career in England.

“There is a little Heighington village in Durham still going, so there is a bit of history behind it.

“My dad’s brother still lives over there.

“Wayne has come on board and hopefully he wants me in that system.

“I’ve been coached under him before in the All-Stars game.

“I was a late call-up because Gal pulled out, but it was a real honour and privilege and hopefully I get another chance. “

Heighington may be a veteran of 13 NRL seasons, but he admitted the in-form Sharks have helped him rediscover his youthful edge.

Led by the brilliance of youngsters like Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes, the men from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire sit on top of the table for the first time in 16 seasons.

“I used to sit next to Michael Gordon in the locker room, but now they’ve put Jack Bird there,” he said.

“He is crazy and he is a lunatic, but a great fella.

“I also do a business course with Val Holmes on a Tuesday night.

“We travel in together and have a good chat and it keeps me young to be honest.

Korbin Sims tackles Chris Heighington.

“Sometimes I’m more immature than the younger boys.

“I just think we’ve got a good balance of senior players and youth coming through and I’m just going on the ride at the moment.”