Crouch: Pompey move boosted my England chances

England striker Peter Crouch has no regrets over his move to Portsmouth last summer after Fabio Capello told him to get regular first-team football.

Crouch was in and out of the team at Liverpool and, even though he is no longer playing in the Champions League, his efforts at Fratton Park earned him an England recall and he took advantage of Emile Heskey’s injury in April to score against Ukraine.

With Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim poised to take over Pompey, there are exciting times ahead for Crouch after taking Capello’s advice.

“He did tell me he would prefer me to be playing all the time,” Crouch said. “I felt I had to make a big decision really to play every week.

“Obviously at Liverpool we played more high profile games in the Champions League. When I was at Liverpool I felt I’d get half the games I played this year but they were quite often big games.

“But I feel I made the right choice going to Portsmouth as I’ve played every Premier League game this year and I’ve enjoyed my football.

“I think (Capello) would prefer me to be at a high profile club playing every week. But that wasn’t the case at the time.”

Crouch admits he would probably be an automatic choice for Capello if he was built like Didier Drogba – because his scoring record cannot be faulted.

Crouch has 13 goals in 15 international starts and has added another two strikes as a substitute, but he has still been behind Heskey in the pecking order.

“I think it would help,” Crouch said. “If anyone had the physical presence of Drogba it would certainly help your game.

“Because I’m not the obvious-looking striker, people perceive things. I am different. But I accept that and feel I’ve done well when called upon and I’ll continue to do that regardless of other people’s perception.”

The 28-year-old is hoping his goal against Ukraine puts him in the frame for Capello. The England boss’ serious approach means Crouch was pleased with getting the slightest encouragement.

“You don’t often get too much out of him,” Crouch said. “When we win he’s a lot more pleasant than when we lose. He didn’t say too much, just well done, a pat on the back and see you next time.

“I do think the goal against Ukraine was important. If all the strikers had been fit I might not have played. But I always felt throughout my England career that if called upon I’ve done well.”

If Crouch does get his chance, there is a huge incentive to perform well as two victories would be a giant stride towards the World Cup next year in South Africa.

“If we get six points from this then we’re almost there. We’d just need three more points after that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott is hoping to put the disappointment of losing the FA Cup final behind him by playing a part in England’s qualifiers.

The 26-year-old feels he can cement a place as third-choice centre-back behind John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

“At the start of the season I was third choice and then through my form I slipped down,” he said. “Hopefully if I can keep this consistency I can be third choice.”

Ferdinand missed training as a precaution, along with left-back Ashley Cole.