Crouch backs Rooney to stand tall

Peter Crouch is calling for Wayne Rooney's critics to lay off the "blossoming" England striker.

Rooney has failed to hit the back of the net in a competitive international since the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal and has been criticised for a lack of form in the wake of England's 0-0 draw in their Euro 2008 qualifier in Israel.

Steve McClaren's men have managed just one goal in a five-match winless run but Crouch is backing the Manchester United striker to rediscover his goalscoring touch as England look to make up ground in Group E and book their place in next year's finals in Switzerland and Austria.

Crouch, who scored England's last competitive goal in Macedonia six months ago, has been quoted as saying: "Everyone can see he's blossoming at Manchester United, playing with probably the best team in the country at the moment, and he's someone we shouldn't be abusing.

"We should enjoy his talents - encourage him - and hopefully they'll come to the fore and help England through. He is maturing and he's a big asset to the England side. He's still a very young player."

The renewed criticism of Rooney was triggered after an ugly clash with Bolton's Tal Ben Haim rounded off an under-par performance from the Manchester United man in Tel Aviv last Saturday.

And Crouch added: "Wayne Rooney is a fantastic talent and you don't want to curb that, you want to let him play his natural game. Although at times he can still get carried away, I think if you take that (aggressive streak) away, he wouldn't be half the player he is."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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