Peter Crouch is determined not to suffer the same disappointment that team-mate Jermain Defoe did four years ago, and make it to the World Cup.
Defoe was suprisingly axed from the squad to Germany in 2006 in favour of the completely untested Theo Walcott, despite having been a regular member of Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad in qualifying.
Crouch has been informed about the disappointment by Defoe and is determined to make the plane to South Africa and not suffer the same heartbreak.
Crouch said, “I don’t want to experience that, of course not.
“Jermain was involved in the squad and then didn’t go. I know from speaking to him how difficult that was.
“I don’t want to suffer the same fate. I want to be on the plane.”
Crouch’s goalscoring record with England is very impressive, with his goal tally almost matching the amount of starts he has made in the Three Lions shirt.
He is expected to be given another opportunity in the friendly against Brazil and is confident about his performances with England.
“I always feel if I am given an opportunity, I will take it. I have faith in my ability and I have never let anyone down.
People will have their opinions, but i am very proud of my record for England.
When you look at the ability within the side and the creative players in the team, I always feel we will create chances and I can score.
“But we have fantastic forward players and no-one has any given right to play. The manager has options. Hopefully I will be one of them.
“The way the manager is, he wouldn’t let on who are his first choices to make the trip to South Africa.
“With that in mind, everyone who is English will be giving their all for their clubs.”
Crouch also expressed his delight about joining Spurs in the summer, despite the fact he has often been benched in favour of the Defoe and Robbie keane combination upfront.
There were plenty of suitors for Crouch in the summer, including this weekend’s opponents, Sunderland, but Crouch is sure he made the right choice.
“I do feel I now have the platform to get the best of myself.
“I did have options in the summer, but Tottenham is a big club, moving in the right direction.
“I have played for the manager before and I know he values me.
“Tottenham can win things and get into Europe. It is a club I want to be a part of for a long time.
“I would like to score the winning goal in the World Cup final as well of course, so I am not asking for much!”
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