mawspurs
21-05-2010, 07:34 PM
Source: Sky Sports
Striker eager for World Cup challenge.
England striker Peter Crouch believes he has done everything he can to make sure he is on the plane to South Africa.
Boss Fabio Capello is set to trim down his preliminary 30-man World Cup squad to 23 by 1st June.
Crouch, currently involved in the England training camp in Austria, is one of five strikers in the squad, which some believe may be trimmed down to four for the finals.
The Tottenham striker feels he has done everything possible for club and country this term to justify his selection in the final party.
This includes scoring the decisive goal which secured UEFA Champions League qualification for Spurs, while on the international stage the beanpole striker took his goal tally to 20 in just 37 internationals with his double against Egypt at Wembley in England's last international in March.
Crouch said: "The 30 has to be cut down and everyone is looking over their shoulder.
"I think all the training sessions are competitive when we come away with England but maybe a little bit more so at present. It has been very sharp.
Fighting
"Everyone is fighting for their place and we are all trying to impress the manager in the training sessions and the games before the World Cup against Mexico and Japan.
"I would prefer all five strikers to go then I would be definitely be going."
He added: "Do I expect to go to South Africa? I can't say that. But I've been pleased with the season at Spurs, felt I've done well personally.
"Being part of a successful team helps to catch the eye of people - and hopefully the manager's eye.
"The last England game was also great for me in scoring a couple of goals.
"I feel I've done everything I can, I'm full of confidence and, as long as I continue to do well and work hard this week, hopefully I'll have a good chance of making the squad."
Crouch, who averages better than a goal every other game for his country, admitted: "I am extremely proud of my goalscoring for England.
Feel confident
"I always feel confident when I put on an England shirt.
"I've scored goals, I've felt I've done well. We've got a lot of creative players who will create chances. They've been taken and hopefully that will continue to be the case."
Crouch feels England will benefit from the altitude training they are undergoing in Austria.
He said: "We will have to adapt to it and all be ready for South Africa. It will be beneficial. We will have to adapt to the pitches, the balls, the teams we are playing.
"We have got masks we put on, breathing in an out for an hour a day, as well as training, so we will be well adapted to it by the World Cup. There will be no excuses.
"The air is a bit thinner but not too different to what we are used to."
He also feels fellow striker Wayne Rooney, who suffered end-of-season groin problems at Manchester United, has dispelled any fears about his fitness during training in Austria.
Crouch added: "Wayne has looked as sharp and keen as always. He is looking hungry as the rest of us do and I don't think there are any doubts about his fitness."
Striker eager for World Cup challenge.
England striker Peter Crouch believes he has done everything he can to make sure he is on the plane to South Africa.
Boss Fabio Capello is set to trim down his preliminary 30-man World Cup squad to 23 by 1st June.
Crouch, currently involved in the England training camp in Austria, is one of five strikers in the squad, which some believe may be trimmed down to four for the finals.
The Tottenham striker feels he has done everything possible for club and country this term to justify his selection in the final party.
This includes scoring the decisive goal which secured UEFA Champions League qualification for Spurs, while on the international stage the beanpole striker took his goal tally to 20 in just 37 internationals with his double against Egypt at Wembley in England's last international in March.
Crouch said: "The 30 has to be cut down and everyone is looking over their shoulder.
"I think all the training sessions are competitive when we come away with England but maybe a little bit more so at present. It has been very sharp.
Fighting
"Everyone is fighting for their place and we are all trying to impress the manager in the training sessions and the games before the World Cup against Mexico and Japan.
"I would prefer all five strikers to go then I would be definitely be going."
He added: "Do I expect to go to South Africa? I can't say that. But I've been pleased with the season at Spurs, felt I've done well personally.
"Being part of a successful team helps to catch the eye of people - and hopefully the manager's eye.
"The last England game was also great for me in scoring a couple of goals.
"I feel I've done everything I can, I'm full of confidence and, as long as I continue to do well and work hard this week, hopefully I'll have a good chance of making the squad."
Crouch, who averages better than a goal every other game for his country, admitted: "I am extremely proud of my goalscoring for England.
Feel confident
"I always feel confident when I put on an England shirt.
"I've scored goals, I've felt I've done well. We've got a lot of creative players who will create chances. They've been taken and hopefully that will continue to be the case."
Crouch feels England will benefit from the altitude training they are undergoing in Austria.
He said: "We will have to adapt to it and all be ready for South Africa. It will be beneficial. We will have to adapt to the pitches, the balls, the teams we are playing.
"We have got masks we put on, breathing in an out for an hour a day, as well as training, so we will be well adapted to it by the World Cup. There will be no excuses.
"The air is a bit thinner but not too different to what we are used to."
He also feels fellow striker Wayne Rooney, who suffered end-of-season groin problems at Manchester United, has dispelled any fears about his fitness during training in Austria.
Crouch added: "Wayne has looked as sharp and keen as always. He is looking hungry as the rest of us do and I don't think there are any doubts about his fitness."