Peter Crouch is crossing his fingers that his international goalscoring record earns him a place in Fabio Capello’s final 23-man England squad for the World Cup (9/1 Crouch – Top England Goalscorer – World Cup 2010).

The Tottenham striker has scored 20 goals in 37 internationals, but does not feel he is guaranteed to be on the plane to South Africa.

Crouch has formed a formidable attacking partnership with Wayne Rooney, and fired in two goals in England’s most recent international against Egypt.

But the 29-year-old knows the pressure is on him, not only on the field but off it too.

“All I can do is do what I’ve done, give my best and hopefully it’s good enough,” Crouch said at England’s training camp in the Austrian Alps.

“We’ve got fantastic players with England and lot of strength in depth. We’ve got players who’ve scored a lot of goals this year as well. But hopefully my record will stand me in good stead and give me a chance of hopefully starting.”

Capello’s first message to his provisional squad on their arrival in camp was that no-one’s place on the plane to South Africa was guaranteed (11/4 England – Group C – To Qualify).

“In his first meeting he said he’s got to cut the squad down,” Crouch revealed. “He just said, ‘Do as well as you can. Work hard and that day will come when it comes.”

Crouch admits Capello’s rules-based system has come as something of a culture shock.

“You have to be on time, everything,” Crouch said. “Whether it is with regards to footwear, conduct around the hotel – every time you’re being judged.

“My trainers didn’t arrive the other day because our bags didn’t arrive. I had a pair of slippers on and I got pulled up on that. What can I do? I’ve got no trainers!

“I wouldn’t say it makes you nervous but the manager’s definitely got that respect.

“He’s very hands-on. Every training session, he’ll be involved in it and if he sees something he won’t be afraid to tell you and lets you know where he wants you. And he’ll organise you better.

“He’s got a hell of a lot of respect from the lads because of his previous exploits in winning championships and Champions Leagues.”

“Sven was a lot more laid-back, everyone was saying that,” Crouch acknowledged. “This time the atmosphere seems a lot more serious, a lot more focused.

“We’ve always done tactical work but this manager is probably the most tactical I have worked for. Organisation is a key thing for him and having worked for a lot of managers before I’ve always felt that in matches you can always tell the ones who work on the tactical stuff.”

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