Former England striker Gary Lineker has backed Stoke City striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741 for a spot in the European Championships 2012 squad.
New http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sweden-c3015 due to suspension, Hodgson will require a reliable substitute.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darren-Bent-c10358 also has recently returned from an ankle injury and would not be the wisest of choices.
That leaves http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Sturridge-c10076, with both players having been inconsistent in the past season. According to Lineker, Peter Crouch was one player who had performed well consistently for Stoke City.
Lineker said in an interview:
“I would be surprised if Crouch is not in the squad. He is a proven goal scorer at international level, especially against weaker teams, and there are a couple of those in our group.
He can keep the ball and gives you a different option.
With Crouch there is a tendency to want to hit long balls, which doesn't really work at that level.
But it is only because he is so big. Technically, he is a decent footballer. I don't know what Capello's thinking was but I would definitely consider him.”
Crouch transferred to Stoke City from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2011 due to lack of first team football. He did not have to wait to earn a place in the starting XI, making 40 appearances in all competitions and going on to score 14 goals.
His performance for Stoke City earned him the Player of the Year 2012 and he looks to continue on with the club next season. His form for country has been decent too; in 42 appearances since 2005, Crouch has scored 22 goals. His experience on the international level makes him the ideal candidate for selection for the Euro 2012, as advised by the England legend Gary Lineker.
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