Mark Crossley has been a busy man this week. He was on the bench for Fulham against Crystal Palace on Monday before hot-footing it to Cardiff to join up with the Welsh squad ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers. Givemefootball's Lawrie Madden caught up with the Welsh goalkeeper ahead of the big game with England at Old Trafford.
Q:IT'S BEEN AN UP AND DOWN START TO THE SEASON FOR FULHAM?
A:Yes, it's has been an eventful season so far. We seem to be going through one of those periods when we are getting players sent off and appear to be having disciplinary problems. We had another one against Palace. It's very frustrating and it was instinctive. It just happens sometimes but with injuries to key players as well it is proving a difficult period for us.
Q:NOW YOU HAVE TO TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SMALL MATTER OF PLAYING ENGLAND?
A:Yes, it's a massive game. I said that when we played Russia in the European Championship play-offs that it was the biggest games of my international career, but this match has moved it onto a new level and this is the biggest game.
Q:HOW DO YOU PROPOSE TO BEAT ENGLAND ON THEIR OWN TURF?
A:I don't know the team but I expect it to be a very physical game. There is a lot of ability in the England team and many of them play at a higher level but we need to be in their faces like Northern Ireland were with us. If it means that the game is scrappy and there are a lot of fouls and stoppages, so be it.
Q:SO YOU ARE EXPECTING A PHYSICAL GAME?
A:If it means we have to be ugly to get a result then we will do so. If we can keep it quiet for the first 20 minutes it could be an interesting game. They are massive favourites but don't under-estimate us. We are not a bad team and have some talented lads too.
Q:WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL REACTION TO BEING PAIRED WITH ENGLAND?
A:When we saw the draw the players were on the phone to each other straightaway. What a great time to be playing for Wales. We were definitely excited about the game.
Q:WILL THE ABSENCE OF ROBBIE SAVAGE BE A BIG BLOW?
A:Robbie has played a big part in Wales' success under Mark Hughes and if you want to be in the other team's face then Robbie is good at upsetting people. But we have others who will come in and give a good account of themselves.
Q:JUST HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS GAME?
A:Very important. We have two games coming up in quick succession and a league table will start forming. We have got off to a poor start with only two points so far, so we know we need to get more points on the board. England are the big favourites but we are hoping to be pushing for second spot after our last campaign.
Q:WHAT ABOUT FACING ROONEY AND OWEN UP FRONT?
A:We are not gullible. We know that whoever plays England will have quality. Rooney is the man everyone is talking about and it would make for a different game if we can keep him quiet.
Q:WILL THIS BE DIFFERENT TO MOST OTHER INTERNATIONALS?
A:Yes, it will be like playing a Premier League game. If you play Poland they play with a sweeper, they play deep and they try and keep possession. It's a different game with teams from the home nations especially where pride is at stake as well as points.
