Peter Crouch set to be given lone striker's role against Croatia

Nov 21 2007 by Christopher Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL striker Peter Crouch is expected to retain his place up front for England tonight as he leads the line on his own against Croatia.

Although he has only been used sparingly so far this season by club manager Rafael Benitez, Crouch is expected to retain his place at Wembley after netting the winning goal in Friday’s friendly victory in Austria.

With first choice strikers Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen both injured and England only needing a draw to qualify against a Croatia side who have already booked their place in next summer’s finals in Austria and Switzerland, coach Steve McClaren is set to go with a five-man midfield.

Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson, currently on a season-long loan at Aston Villa, is set to start a competitive England game for the first time having kept a clean sheet on his international debut in Vienna.

Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott is also poised to retain his place in the centre of defence alongside Sol Campbell with Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards continuing in the left and right full- back berths respectively.

If David Beckham is to win his 99th England cap tonight then it will probably be off the bench as McClaren is believed to favour Shaun Wright- Phillips on the right wing.

The remainder of England’s midfield quintet is set to consist of captain Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry.