30 May 2005
Peter Crouch: Exclusive

The Southampton striker on the disappointment of missing out on Saturday and looking forward to playing against Colombia.


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Peter Crouch is set to make his England debut as Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson made five changes to his side to face Colombia.

The Southampton striker had been due to make his England bow against the USA in Chicago on Saturday but he injured his ankle in England’s final training session and missed out.

Defenders Sol Campbell (ankle) and Wes Brown (knee), as well as midfielder Kieran Richardson (hamstring) have all been ruled out of the friendly, which sees England take on Colombia for the first time in seven years.

Fulham's Zat Knight, who made his debut in the match against the States, will make his first start in central defence alongside Chelsea full-back Glen Johnson.

Real Madrid duo David Beckham and Michael Owen joined the squad at the weekend and are drafted straight in to the side.

Owen, who scored in Real's last League match of the season, will be looking to equal the 30 goals mark set by Sir Tom Finney, Nat Lofthouse and Alan Shearer in his 70th international.

England v. Colombia, New Jersey, 31 May 2005

Starting XI

David James (Manchester City, 31 caps, 0 goals)
Phil Neville (Manchester United, 51 caps, 0 goals)
Glen Johnson (Chelsea, 3 caps, 0 goals)
Zat Knight (Fulham, 1 cap, 0 goals)
Ashley Cole (Arsenal, 40 caps, 0 goals)
David Beckham (capt) (Real Madrid, 80 caps, 16 goals)
Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle United, 11 caps, 0 goals)
Michael Carrick (Tottenham Hotspur, 3 caps, 0 goals)
Joe Cole (Cheslea, 22 caps, 3 goals)
Peter Crouch (Southampton, 0 caps, 0 goals)
Michael Owen (Real Madrid, 69 caps, 29 goals)