Jonathan Woodgate has backed new Stoke team-mate Peter Crouch to make a rapid return to the international stage.
Defender backs Potters colleague to return to England set-up
Jonathan Woodgate has backed new Stoke team-mate Peter Crouch to make a rapid return to the international stage.
The striker, who arrived at the Britannia Stadium from Tottenham on transfer deadline day, has been frozen out of the current England set-up by manager Fabio Capello.
However Woodgate, another summer arrival at Stoke on a free transfer from Spurs, believes Crouch will be back in a Three Lions jersey well before Euro 2012 next summer and become the first Potters player to represent England in 27 years.
He told
The Sentinel: "He's only been left out of one squad, so it's not about what happens to him in the future, but what happens to him now. He'll probably be in the next squad."
Woodgate played down his own role in Crouch's transfer following the 30-year-old's claims he worked tirelessly to convince him to move to the Britannia.
"No, I just spoke to him and said how good it was here and that he would be welcome," said Woodgate.
"Peter's a top player - and you want good players to improve your squad. He can only enhance us.
Ability
"You're getting an England international whose played at the top level and in the Champions League.
"His international goalscoring (22 in 42 appearances) speaks for itself. And he's played for top teams throughout his career.
"Everybody knows he's top notch in the air, but he's also great on the floor and a good hold-up player. He's a target man with great ability."
Woodgate believes Crouch will have no trouble slotting into manager Tony Pulis' set-up at Stoke.
He added: "Crouchy's also a genuinely nice lad. There's no airs or graces. There isn't a big-time bone in his body.
"He'll fit right in here because there is a really good team spirit."
