Crouch earns England call-up
Southampton striker Peter Crouch today received his first England call-up for the mini-tour of the United States later this month.
Young Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson was also named in the squad. They were joined by Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick, who has received a recall after an absence of more than two years from the senior squad.
However, Sven-Goran Eriksson has been hit with a mass of withdrawals, with Ledley King now joining Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand among those ruled out.
The absentee list also includes John Terry, Frank Lampard, Kieron Dyer, Paul Robinson and Wayne Bridge, while Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are excluded due to the Champions League final.
With Rooney being rested and Emile Heskey excluded, Eriksson has therefore turned to the lanky figure of Crouch, as well as giving another chance to Andy Johnson and a recall to Alan Smith.
Crouch’s call-up is a welcome boost amid a difficult week, with Southampton facing the possibility of relegation, and the striker himself suspended for the final league game against Manchester United.
“I will look at Peter Crouch to see if he’s good enough. For sure, he’s very different and when you go into a big tournament, you should have one big striker,” revealed Eriksson.
“I know already what Emile Heskey can do, while Jermain Defoe and Alan Smith will also be coming to the United States.
“I’m going to have another look at Andrew Johnson and maybe let him play up front. I will not play him on the right wing again.”
That was a reference to Johnson’s ill-fated substitute’s appearance against Holland at Villa Park on the right side of an attacking trio.
Carrick is, meanwhile, recalled and may even line up alongside Jermaine Jenas in central midfield in the opening game against the United States on May 28.
“I think he deserves a chance. He has improved since he went to Tottenham, just like Jermain Defoe,” added Eriksson.
Gerrard and Carragher are being excused international duty even after the Champions League final, although Carson, who has played just a handful of first-team games, is expected to join the squad after that game.
David Beckham, Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves will also be joining up for the second game against Colombia on May 31 after club duties.
There is the rare sight of Sol Campbell reporting for England duty for a friendly, enabling him to press his claims for a return to the international side in the absence of Ferdinand and Terry through injury.
Shaun Wright-Phillips will get his chance to shine on the right flank in Beckham’s absence for the game against the United States, even though Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce wanted to rest him.
“I think Shaun is very happy to come. In the first game, he knows that Beckham is not there and that’s good for him,” stressed Eriksson.
“In the first game, the midfield could be Wright-Phillips, Jenas, Carrick and Joe Cole – or Stewart Downing.”
