Crouch ready to leap at England chance

England striker Peter Crouch believes he can form a partnership with Michael Owen that can take both men to the World Cup finals.

Though he has yet to score a goal for Liverpool this season, Crouch is expected to start today's qualifier against Austria at Old Trafford in place of the suspended Wayne Rooney.

It is a remarkable achievement for a player whose 6ft 7in frame belies a rare deftness of touch, underlined by the 16 goals he scored for Southampton last season despite their relegation.

Aware of the sceptics, Crouch told reporters: "I think the more I've played, the more people are taking me seriously.

"Now that there's recognition that I'm starting to play for England and that I'm at a great club like Liverpool, hopefully people can see that I can play as well.

"I've got every confidence that I can make the grade at this level and hopefully I can show that now."

Though Rooney will return for next Wednesday's final qualifier against Poland, Crouch knows there is still a potential place in the squad for him if England qualify for next year's finals.

"It's a massive opportunity," said the 24-year-old, who is at his seventh club in a peripatetic career.

"If you can impress in these games, you've got a real good chance of being involved in the World Cup."

Crouch is unfazed by his lack of goals since moving to Anfield for £7.0 million in July, putting it down to manager Rafael Benitez's frequent use of him as a lone striker.

Crouch, who made his England debut alongside Owen in a 3-2 friendly win over Colombia in May, thinks reuniting the pair will improve his chances of scoring today.

"I think it will do, without a doubt," said Crouch, who set up one of the goals in Owen's hat-trick at the Giants Stadium.

"When you're on your own up front sometimes it limits your chances a little bit to score goals. But I think playing with someone of Michael's calibre can only help my game and hopefully I can help his as well."