Jermain Defoe has told his Tottenham teammate Peter Crouch exactly what it feels like to miss out on a World Cup finals and the 6ft 7in striker says he is determined not to suffer the same fate next summer.
Defoe was a regular member of the England squad in the build-up to the 2002 finals in Germany and was heavily tipped to make Sven Goran-Eriksson’s party.
Crouch has high hopes for the World Cup
However, he was controversially overlooked by the Swede in favour of Arsenal’s
Theo Walcott – who was then uncapped at senior level and a virtually unknown 17-year-old.
For Defoe, it was a hammer blow that he admits took him a long time to get over - and
Crouch’s task is to avoid a similar disappointment.
Crouch took his tally to 16 goals in 17 internationals with a brace against Belarus last month and he looks certain to be named in Fabio Capello’s squad to face Brazil in Qatar on November 14th.
Crouch said: “I don’t want to experience that, of course not. Jermain was involved in the squad and then didn’t go. I know from speaking to him exactly how difficult that was. I don’t want to suffer the same fate. I want to be on the plane.”
The 28-year-old added: “I always feel if I am given the opportunity I am capable of taking it. I have faith in my ability and have never let anyone down. I am very proud of my record with England.”
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