Crouch fit for first England start
Striker Peter Crouch has confirmed his fitness ahead of England’s friendly international with Colombia in New Jersey tomorrow.
The Southampton player had been distraught when an ankle injury suffered in training on Friday prevented him from making his debut against the United States 24 hours later.
But the lanky Crouch showed no ill effects when he was put through his paces in sweltering heat in the Giants Stadium this afternoon.
Now the ex-Aston Villa player is in line to wear the England jersey for the first time against the Colombians, probably in partnership with Michael Owen.
Crouch said: “I must admit I did have doubts about whether I would make it or not but I’ve come through fine. I will ice the ankle now but I’m confident I’ll be fit.
“This is a big lift for me because on Friday I was devastated. It is not every day that you are in line for your England debut and to miss out against America because of an injury in training was a massive blow.”
Skipper David Beckham and Owen took part in their first session in front of several hundred fans since joining the party on Sunday.
The pair could take no part against the host nation because of club commitments with Real Madrid.
Ashley Cole also came through with no affects after picking up a slight hamstring injury at the weekend.
Striker Andy Johnson and defender Wes Brown are also expected to be fit despite missing training with slight calf and knee problems respectively.
But absent were centre-back Sol Campbell and Saturday’s two-goal Kieran Richardson who had gone for scans on ankle and hamstring problems respectively.
Campbell is definitely ruled out of the final game of the tour and Richardson has only a slight chance of being available.
