England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

Crouch feels the pressure

20 Nov 2007 - 08:44:59

Click To Enlarge

England striker Peter Crouch has admitted he feels under pressure to take the international chance he has been presented with against Croatia on Wednesday.

The Liverpool hitman will spearhead the England attack in the vital Euro 2008 qualifier against the Group E leaders at Wembley in the absence through injury of first choice pairing Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

Crouch could play as a lone striker but claims the role does not concern him as long as he gets the opportunity to start an international match.

The 26-year-old frontman has an impressive record of 13 goals in 23 international appearances, but claims he is under extra pressure to perform against Croatia due to his lack of starting opportunities.

"Sometimes I do feel like I need to score five," he said.

"There have been a few times when I have scored a couple of goals at club level and my place still is not assured, whereas at other places maybe it would be.

"We have a lot of competition for places at Liverpool and England as well.

"All I can do is perform to the best of my ability and score goals when I can. Thankfully, I have done that and long may it continue."

Meanwhile, Crouch hopes David Beckham is retained in the starting line-up to face Croatia despite the return to fitness of Shaun Wright-Phillips.

The 6ft 7in striker would prefer Beckham to get the nod due to his delivery into the penalty area.

"David Beckham is a fantastic player," he added.

"If you have someone like that in the side, I know I just need to get in the box because if he can find half a yard, he is going to whip a cross in.

"He is still one of the best at delivering set-pieces or out wide and for someone like myself, who scores the majority of goals from crosses, he is certainly a player to have."