England boss backs Crouch to stand tall

Steve McClaren is certain Peter Crouch will deliver when England face Croatia in their must-win Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley on Wednesday night.

With Michael Owen joining Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Andy Johnson and Dean Ashton on the sidelines through injury, Crouch appears set to be asked to lead his country's attack as they look to book their place in next summer's finals.

Crouch was on target with his 13th goal for his country after Owen limped off with a thigh strain as England beat Austria 1-0 in a friendly in Vienna on Friday night.

And while McClaren considers his options for a potenitally vital match, he is under no illusions over Crouch's ability to deliver despite seeing his chances at Liverpool restricted since the arrival of Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Andrei Voronin.

The England boss said: "Peter Crouch is a handful for anybody. He has played quite a few times for Liverpool recently and been quite effective.

"The goal is bound to help his confidence. We may only need one on Wednesday and, if that is the case, we are capable of getting it."

McClaren is likely to partner Crouch with Jermain Defoe up front and the lofty Liverpool hitman is certain they can create an impressive partnership.

Crouch said: "Of course, it is disappointing with Michael getting injured. It is a huge blow for us.

"But myself and Jermain have played together many times, through the England Under-18s and Under-21s, and right back then worked well together.

"When Steve McClaren came in, right at the start of his reign we both got a couple of goals against Greece and, whenever I've played with him, it seems to have worked.

"I felt good alongside him against Austria, and if that is again the case on Wednesday, then I am sure it will work."

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