Stoke City: Peter Crouch still has hopes of playing for England after strong showing against Manchester City
PETER Crouch is hoping Roy Hodgson will let bygones be bygones as the Stoke striker tries to play his way back into the England squad.
The 31-year-old has revealed he turned down the chance to play in one of England's pre-European Championship friendlies this summer after being told he was being left out of the squad for the tournament.
-
GOAL-DEN BOY: Peter Crouch, who has announced he would love to play for England again, celebrates his goal against Manchester City on Saturday.
• GALLERY: Match Action: Stoke City 1 Manchester City 1
Hodgson said last week that he hadn't considered Crouch for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine after he was turned down by the Stoke striker before the Euros.
Call WHITEGATES Today 01782 209935 ..Limited offer. Available only up on production of voucher. Sell your home for £399 plus vat.* #EPC is required to market your home not included in offer.
Terms: *Upfront payment, non-refundable in the event of property remaining unsold, being withdrawn from the market or being sold by another agent, yourself or by any other means.#EPC £62.50 plus vat.
Contact: 01782 209 935
Valid until: Thursday, July 04 2013
Crouch has furthered his England claims by scoring three goals in Stoke's last three games, including the opener in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Saturday.
However, his chances of a recall depend on Hodgson putting their differences behind them.
Crouch said he had no problem with Hodgson, revealing that they'd had a disagreement over the summer.
He said: "He was asked a question about me and I bear no grudges about that at all.
"I was disappointed to be left out of the Euro squad and was a bit frustrated, but playing for my country is the best thing I have ever done.
"It wasn't a case of being on standby. I think he wanted me to play in one of the friendlies and then go home. But I'll be honest, I was disappointed not to be called up to the full squad.
"We had a conversation, but I think that should remain between me and the manager.
"If I get the chance to play for my country again I would grab it with both hands. I will carry on playing as well as I can for Stoke and, if something comes out of it, then fantastic."
Meanwhile, Crouch admitted his goal against the league champions on Saturday should have been ruled out for handball.
Stoke were good value for a point, but got lucky when neither referee Mark Clattenburg nor his officials saw Crouch handle the ball as he burst through two challenges to score past Joe Hart from close range to put Stoke into a 15th-minute lead.
Crouch said: "There was a slight suspicion of handball!
"It happened that quickly, but it definitely hit my hand, I'm not going to lie to you. I'd like to see it again, just to see how obvious it was, but you play to the whistle and I put it in to give our side a deserved lead.
"The ball was bouncing around and it does happen so quickly. The linesman was miles from it and with all the players around, it was difficult for them to see. It wasn't anyone's fault.
"It's one of those things. They do seem to even themselves out and I am sure they will do. We'll get decisions against us this year without doubt."
The striker was substituted in the 90th-minute so his fellow England striker Michael Owen could make his Stoke City debut.
Crouch said he's delighted that Owen is at City.
He said: "I didn't speak to him before he signed, but I know he spoke to Jonathan Woodgate.
"We were always confident he would come here and thankfully he has. He will have a big part to play this season.
"He is looking very sharp in training. A top-class player like Michael Owen, when he is fit, is up there with some of the top players the Premier League has ever had."
Comments
by Darren1810
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 8:40AM
“Very eloquent defence of the handball Liam, lets hope terrific Tone is as pragmatic when decisions go against Stoke this season instead of the usual ' we never get anything cos we are Stoke' argument”
by LiamOSullivan
Monday, September 17 2012, 9:16PM
“Some people need to learn the rules of basketball ...as well as the rules of football which a large section of socalled fans as well even more socalled experts seemingly dont have a clue about. Worse, a fair number of referees dont seem to know certain rules either.
Some people think that as soon as the ball hits a hand, it's a foul, but this is wrong.
The hand has to actively seek the ball in order to gain an advantage.
The ball was bouncing around madly, as is often the case with Crouch whose ball control could be better, but sometimes it bounces nicely for him, and it seems to be against Man C usually.
Thats what happened as countless replays show.
That said it'sgonna take more than 10 goals per season to get back into the england squad.
63% of the balls aimed at Crouch which reach him end up with an opponent. That's very poor, and while TP will accept it, Hodgson wont.”
by boothernender
Monday, September 17 2012, 9:10PM
“Seem to remember Rooney elbowing a Stoke player in the chops at the Britt a while back. "Fergie must condone this behaviour aswell, what a sorry state of a club".”
by boothernender
Monday, September 17 2012, 8:53PM
“This site attracts idiots like a Cowpat attracts flies.”
by DJofTNE
Monday, September 17 2012, 8:16PM
“Are you condoning the elbow stholder? Wilko has never and will never be a footballer in this life, if TP picks him if the fa fail to do whats right and ban the thug for a long time then TP must condone this behaviour aswell, what a sorry state of a club.”
by DJofTNE
Monday, September 17 2012, 8:13PM
“Ye handballing will get you into the england squad all day long, they have other cheats and scum too like terry, cole, wellbeck, young etc, get crouchie in too, blend in like he never left the set up.”
by cheese_boy
Monday, September 17 2012, 7:21PM
“Cheat”
by deadlyscfc
Monday, September 17 2012, 4:40PM
“Woodgate mentioned when he went to Boro that he would recommend any one to come to Stoke as TP was a very good manager and that it was a very well run club with a happy and together dressing room.”
by Darren1810
Monday, September 17 2012, 12:45PM
“Basketball or Volleyball ?”
by STHolder
Monday, September 17 2012, 11:32AM
“MOTD focussed on the handball and Wilko's elbow on Balotelli without mentioning the non-free kick from which Man City scored, the red-card tackle from Garcia and the persistant play-acting from Balotelli which resulted in the ref thinking he was pretending Wilko elbowing. Great work from the Beeb as per usual. However, a point was a good result and kudos to Begovic and Shawcross for keeping us in it at the end.
Side point, TP gets a lot of stick for not subbing Walters, however Walters couldnt walk for the last 5 minutes and yet TP took Crouch off to put Owen on. He doesn't help himself does he?!”