mawspurs
21-05-2010, 07:35 PM
Source: Sky Sports
England striker backs team-mate to shine at World Cup.
Peter Crouch believes team-mate Ledley King will be among the best centre-halves at the World Cup if he can remain fit.
King's career has been blighted by a knee problem but the defender has managed to feature in the last three games of Tottenham's season as Harry Redknapp's side secured UEFA Champions League qualification.
He is currently with England's provisional World Cup squad in Austria and Crouch has backed his team-mate to produce the goods if selected for the final 23 to go to South Africa.
The Spurs striker, who has known of King's qualities for more than a decade since his first spell at Tottenham as a schoolboy, said: "Ledley has been brilliant. I've known Ledley for a lot of years and I know what a superb player he is.
"I've known Ledley since I was 13 in my first spell at Spurs. He was fantastic even then. Even then you knew he was going to be world class and he has proven that.
Fitness
"As long as he can prove his fitness, he will be up there as one of the best centre-halves at the World Cup.
"He has proved his quality this season, hopefully he has proved his fitness.
"He played the last three games of the season, all for the 90 minutes, he came through those and trained this week with England as well."
Crouch added: "It is a big boost because he is such a quality player and everyone would be happy to have him in their squad.
"Ledley has to be managed a bit different to the rest of the players. He has to do his own thing and train when he feels capable of it.
Worthwhile
"Without a doubt, the manager thinks it is worthwhile him coming and, on his day when he is fit, there are not many as good as him."
Crouch has also welcomed the recall to the squad of another centre-back in Jamie Carragher, whom he played alongside during his spell at Liverpool.
He said: "Jamie brings a great deal of experience. He has played at top level for a long, long time now.
"I played with Jamie for three years at Liverpool and he is a leader and has great experience - and having that experience at major tournaments certainly helps."
England striker backs team-mate to shine at World Cup.
Peter Crouch believes team-mate Ledley King will be among the best centre-halves at the World Cup if he can remain fit.
King's career has been blighted by a knee problem but the defender has managed to feature in the last three games of Tottenham's season as Harry Redknapp's side secured UEFA Champions League qualification.
He is currently with England's provisional World Cup squad in Austria and Crouch has backed his team-mate to produce the goods if selected for the final 23 to go to South Africa.
The Spurs striker, who has known of King's qualities for more than a decade since his first spell at Tottenham as a schoolboy, said: "Ledley has been brilliant. I've known Ledley for a lot of years and I know what a superb player he is.
"I've known Ledley since I was 13 in my first spell at Spurs. He was fantastic even then. Even then you knew he was going to be world class and he has proven that.
Fitness
"As long as he can prove his fitness, he will be up there as one of the best centre-halves at the World Cup.
"He has proved his quality this season, hopefully he has proved his fitness.
"He played the last three games of the season, all for the 90 minutes, he came through those and trained this week with England as well."
Crouch added: "It is a big boost because he is such a quality player and everyone would be happy to have him in their squad.
"Ledley has to be managed a bit different to the rest of the players. He has to do his own thing and train when he feels capable of it.
Worthwhile
"Without a doubt, the manager thinks it is worthwhile him coming and, on his day when he is fit, there are not many as good as him."
Crouch has also welcomed the recall to the squad of another centre-back in Jamie Carragher, whom he played alongside during his spell at Liverpool.
He said: "Jamie brings a great deal of experience. He has played at top level for a long, long time now.
"I played with Jamie for three years at Liverpool and he is a leader and has great experience - and having that experience at major tournaments certainly helps."