Crouch happy to take on lone role
Striker Peter Crouch says he is willing to shoulder the burden of being England's main goal threat in the key Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.
England need to avoid defeat at Wembley on Wednesday and Crouch may play on his own up front after injuries to Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
The 26-year-old said: "I've played enough games for England now to be able to accept the responsibility.
"It's a massive game, but if selected I believe I can do the business."
He added: "I have done the lone striker role for Liverpool and for England before so it would be nothing new.
"We have got enough attacking players in the rest of the team who can join up with me and I can't see it being a problem.
"In David Beckham and the others we have quality and creativity and I know if I get in the right positions they'll find me."
England were handed a lifeline on Saturday by Israel's surprise 2-1 over Russia, a result that puts Steve McClaren's side in the driving seat to reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer.
Crouch believes England will not waste the opportunity to qualify and says they will benefit from having such a tough time in qualification.
"It was out of our hands for a little bit and we do not want that to happen again," said Crouch.
"We have to stand up and be counted now, it's in our hands and when we do qualify, we know we can have a great tournament.
"I wouldn't say we have been shocked, but we're maybe a bit wounded from some results we've had and I think we are capable of a lot more.
"I'm sure we will come good in the tournament next summer and we can all look forward to that if we get the job done on Wednesday."
Meanwhile, midfielder Joe Cole has asked England fans to get behind the side to help them earn the point they need against Slaven Bilic's Croatia.
"Everyone has got their opinion and there are loads of different ways of making your views public these days," said the Chelsea star.
"But when you buy that ticket and go to support your country, you've got a job to do.
"There is just no point booing any of the players, it doesn't help anyone. The fans have to do their bit and we'll do ours and if we've done it together it'll be all the sweeter if we qualify."
