Crouch keen to repay Capello

Portsmouth striker delighted to be back on international stage

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 8th October 2008

Crouch keen to repay Capello

Crouch: Hopes for opportunity

If I am given a chance in the team, I will take it.

Peter Crouch
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Peter Crouch insists he will not let England manager Fabio Capello down after earning a recall to the international stage.

The Portsmouth striker was left out of Capello's plans for the opening 2010 World Cup qualifiers with Andorra and Croatia in September and he also missed the friendly draw with Czech Republic at the beginning of the season.

But having fought his way back into the England squad for Saturday's qualifier with Kazakhstan at Wembley and the Belarus meeting four days later, Crouch is now eager to add to his 14 international goals.

"I wasn't in the last two, but I have managed to pick up my form for Portsmouth and it has won me a call up," Crouch told Sky Sports News.

Confident

"If I am given a chance in the team, I will take it."

Crouch left Liverpool in the summer after struggling to feature in the plans of Anfield boss Rafa Benitez, and the 27-year-old feels that regular first-team football at Portsmouth has helped his cause.

"I felt confident that, if I was playing regularly, I would score the goals to get in the England set-up," added Crouch.

"It is proving me right at the minute and I have to keep going.

Competition

"I'm not the sort to throw my arms in the air (if not selected). I would rather work hard with my club and get back in. I feel confident and I'm glad to be back."

And Crouch is hopeful he will be offered the opportunity to play alongside Fratton Park striker partner Jermain Defoe.

"It helps that myself and Jermain play together and have set each other up for a few goals," Crouch continued.

"We have other strikers in the squad and other options, but it certainly helps that myself and Jermain play together.

"There is competition. But it is only good for the national side and it is good to be back in."