Soccer: Crouch ready to leap at England chance

England soccer striker Peter Crouch believes he can form a partnership with Michael Owen that can take both men to the World Cup finals.

Though he has yet to score a goal for Liverpool this season, Crouch is expected to start Sunday's (NZ time) qualifier against Austria at Old Trafford in place of the suspended Wayne Rooney.

It is a remarkable achievement for a player whose 2m frame belies a rare deftness of touch, underlined by the 16 goals he scored for Southampton last season despite their relegation.

Aware of the sceptics, Crouch told reporters: "I think the more I've played, the more people are taking me seriously.

"Now that there's recognition that I'm starting to play for England and that I'm at a great club like Liverpool, hopefully people can see that I can play as well.

"I've got every confidence that I can make the grade at this level and hopefully I can show that now."

Although Rooney will return for next Thursday's (NZ time) final qualifier against Poland, Crouch knows there is still a potential place in the squad for him if England qualify for next year's finals.

"It's a massive opportunity," said Crouch, 24, who is at his seventh club in a peripatetic career.

"If you can impress in these games, you've got a real good chance of being involved in the World Cup and I think that's what we're all here to do."

Crouch is unfazed by his lack of goals since moving to Anfield for £7 million ($18.01 million) in July, putting it down to manager Rafael Benitez's frequent use of him as a lone striker rather than any finishing failings.

Crouch, who made his England debut alongside Owen in a 3-2 win over Colombia in May, thinks reuniting the pair will improve his chances of scoring this weekend.

"I think it will do, without a doubt," said Crouch, who set up one of the goals in Owen's hat-trick at the Giants Stadium.

"When you're on your own up front sometimes it limits your chances a little bit to score goals. But I think playing with someone of Michael's calibre can only help my game and hopefully I can help his as well."

Sharing that view, his England and Liverpool teammate Jamie Carragher said: "I feel a bit sorry for him that he's had to play up front on his own at times. I think he'd probably be better with someone else alongside him.

"He hasn't really missed chances at Liverpool -- because we haven't really created enough for him, to be honest.

"I'm sure if he gets his chance he won't let anyone down."

Two wins would ensure that England, who trail leaders Poland by five points, qualify as group six winners.

If Crouch can steer England to victory on Sunday and the Czech Republic lose in group one to the Netherlands, England would qualify as one of Europe's two best runners-up.

- REUTERS