Walcott ready for international soccer, says Crouch

England striker Peter Crouch believes Arsenal's Theo Walcott is ready to grace the international stage after receiving a shock World Cup call-up.

Crouch briefly played alongside the young forward when they were at Southampton and is delighted to be re-united with the 17-year-old in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad.

"Having played with him at Southampton, albeit only for a couple of months, I know what a special talent he is," Crouch said.

"He can beat players, he's frighteningly quick and I think when people see him play they will be excited.

"He's done exceptionally well to get his move to Arsenal and obviously the manager thinks he is ready for the World Cup stage and I would not put it past him to grace that stage."

Crouch, 25, added: "I certainly wasn't ready at that age and so it's a credit to him that he has managed to get into the squad."

Crouch is preparing to lead Liverpool's attack in Saturday's FA Cup final against West Ham United before switching his attention to the World Cup.

The towering striker has been capped five times by his country, and with Wayne Rooney a major injury doubt and Michael Owen not certain to be fully fit because of foot injuries he may have a key part to play in Eriksson's plans.