Pulis backs Crouch for England

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has backed Peter Crouch to be picked for England’s Euro 2012 squad ahead of Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

England manager Roy Hodgson will be announcing his 23-man squad for the tournament on Wednesday, and Pulis is confident Crouch’s name will be on the list.

Stoke paid 10 million pounds for the 31-year-old old Crouch last year.

The striker has already scored 22 goals in just 44 appearances for England, a statistic that Hodgson will surely take into consideration ahead of Wednesday’s announcement.

Pulis told Sky Sports: “I’m just hoping and praying he gets selected because I know it’s what he wants and, also, I think he should.

“Roy Hodgson has to do what he has to do, but, for me, I would have Crouchy there and able to come off the bench if required.

“In big tournaments you need game changers. Peter might not be going there to play every single game, but one thing is for sure, when he comes on, he can change them.

“I will be really disappointed if he’s not chosen to go, especially after the season he has had for us.

“I won’t speak to Roy on the matter. He will know what is in his mind and he has to make the decision.”

Pulis tipped Crouch to earn selection ahead of Carroll to Hodgson’s squad, with both unlikely to be named due to their similar profiles in attack.

“Andy Carroll’s time will come, but Crouchy is the one for me right now, without a doubt,” Pulis said.

“People are still talking about the goal he scored for us against Man City, but the beauty of him as a striker is that he scores all types of goals.

“If you were to make a compilation of the goals he scores, you would see that he gets absolutely all sorts.

“If you are chasing the game and pumping the ball into the box or teams are sitting back, then Peter is the ideal person to bring on.”