Crouch targets World Cup berth
Wednesday, 03 March, 2010
The England hitman hopes to have played his way into starting eleven.
Julian Bennetts
Peter Crouch admitted he hopes he has staked his claim for a starting place in Fabio Capello’s England side after his two-goal salvo against Egypt.
The Tottenham striker came off the bench with England a goal down but scored twice to get the Nationwide Man of the Match award as the Three Lions began preparations for the World Cup with a 3-1 victory.
And while Crouch was delighted to take his chance, he reserved particular praise for Shaun Wright-Phillips after his fellow substitute scored himself and laid on an assist for the third.
“Do I want to start more? That’s up to the Manager,” said Crouch. “All I can do is that when I’m given my chance, try and take it. Hopefully I’ve given him something to think about tonight.
“I think anyone who plays for England, especially in a World Cup year, is going to feel some pressure, especially at home.
“You just try and do your best, and thankfully I did tonight.”
He added: “Shaun was very dangerous when he came on. He gives you that option to go past a man and he has good quality as he proved with my second goal.
“It was a fantastic ball in. We know he’s got that quality, and he played really well.”