Crouch to lead the line

March 31, 2009

England look set to start with Peter Crouch up front in Wednesdays World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.

A number of England players including Emile Heskey picked up knocks in the friendly against Slovakia which meant that Capello had to call up replacemensts to the squad. Darren Bent was called up only for him also to suffer a knee injury in training which led to Gabriel Agbonlahor getting a call.

Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard look set to play behind Crouch as a lone striker.

The Italian said: “I am sure that Crouch is the best forward I can put into the first XI.”

Crouch has recovered from the dead leg he suffered in Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Slovakia, while Rio Ferdinand is fit to partner John Terry in defence.

Rooney goes into the game on the back of winning the England player of the year fans’ award for 2008 and will collect his 50th cap against Ukraine.

Capello explained his decision to include Agbonlahor.

“I spoke with the assistant manager of Aston Villa and was told Agbonlahor had been training very well during the last two or three days,” added the Italian.

He then revealed why he opted not to bring England’s fourth highest goalscorer, Michael Owen, back into the squad.

“In every interview I said the door, for all the players, is open,” he insisted.

“I chose Agbonlahor because he has played a lot of games. I respect Owen but I am focused on the game of football.”

Ukraine, who are unbeaten in their three Group Six qualifiers to date, are expected to include former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko in attack.

Shevchenko, 32, has only started two Serie A matches for AC Milan this season but is determined to make a mark in his first Wembley appearance.

“This is a big game for us and I dream of scoring at Wembley because it would be my 40th goal with the national team,” he said.

“The national team gives me an opportunity to do what I love doing, which is to play football. But for the national team coach it is not easy to put a player on the pitch who isn’t playing.”

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