GOALS MUST KEEP ME IN FRAME; Crouch longing to be a big hit for Capello.

Byline: JOHN CROSS

PETER CROUCH is hoping his record as a hitman will make him England's main man in Kazakhstan.

The Portsmouth striker has rifled 15 goals in 33 caps from just 15 international starts, and yet has struggled to hold down a regular place for his country.

Crouch scored in England's last qualifier against Ukraine - a 2-1 win at Wembley on April Fool's Day - when he was emergency FIFTH choice behind Wayne Rooney and after Carlton Cole, Darren Bent and Emile Heskey had all pulled out.

But the 28-year-old striker believes it will be hard for Fabio Capello to drop him for Saturday's World Cup dust-up in Almaty - especially as his record makes him the most prolific striker in the squad.

Crouch said: "If all the strikers had been fit, I know I might not have played against Ukraine. I do think that goal was important.

"But I've always felt throughout my England career that, when called upon, I've done well. It was due to injuries that I played against Ukraine - but I got a game, scored and think I did OK. Hopefully I've put myself in the frame.

"I enjoy playing with such fantastic players, and I think the way we play suits me.

"I think I'll score goals in a team like this. I've done that when given the opportunity.

"You never know what the manager is thinking, he keeps his cards close to his chest, but I hope I did enough to warrant a start.

"Emile's back from injury as well, and he was first-choice before, but I hope I've given the manager food for thought.

"I didn't get too much from the manager after Ukraine. He's more pleasant when we win, of course! But there was a slap on the back, a 'well done' and 'see you next time'.

"He expects a lot from us, to go out there and do well and perform. When we don't he certainly lets us know."

Crouch went to Portsmouth from Liverpool a year ago, hoping that regular football on the south coast would boost his international career.

After a season-long struggle against relegation and a premature exit from the UEFA Cup, it has not worked out like that.

But Crouch believes he had to leave Anfield and the Champions League behind.

He said: "I feel I made the right choice going to Portsmouth because I've played every Premier League game this year and enjoyed that.

"I think Fabio Capello would rather I was at a high-profile club and playing every week but, to be fair, that wasn't going to happen.

"I had to make a difficult decision last summer. But he did tell me I needed to be playing every week, and I am now. It's been difficult at Portsmouth. I sacrificed myself playing on my own up front at times, and the three midfielders we were playing were defensive. So there wasn't much support.

"That's why it's nice to play with England and having the support from midfield with the fantastic players we have.

"It's quite obvious that Fabio Capello now likes playing the one up front, with one or two behind.

"You play with the players you have. Most of our world-class players like playing behind.

"You have to adapt the system around that."

CAPTION(S):

MAKING HIS PRESENCE FELT: Peter Crouch is praying Fabio Capello plays him in Kazakhstan