Crouch praises 'fantastic' Defoe

Published: 07 Sep 2010 - 13:17:00

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Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has heaped praise on team-mate Jermain Defoe ahead of England's Euro 2012 qualifier with Switzerland. Defoe bagged an excellent hat-trick on Friday as the Three Lions thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 at Wembley, and he is expected to lead the line again in Basel. Crouch, who was forced to pull out of the England squad with a back injury, says he was pleased for Defoe and built up his club-mate's ability. He told his Spurs' official website: "It's fantastic for Jermain and he took his goals really well. I was really pleased for him. "I thought the movement for all his goals was fantastic, the way he took defenders away and made space for himself. He looked really sharp. "I've played with him a lot and he's going to get goals whenever he plays. He's so sharp around the box and with that kind of movement England have, the players will find him and create the chances. "As strikers, we all benefit from that." Wayne Rooney is set to partner Defoe up front at St Jakob Park, while Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are expected to line up in central defence.