By John Cross 30/03/2009 [The Mirror]
Peter Crouch was involved in a war of words with Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel after limping out of England's Wembley victory.
Crouch claimed former Liverpool team-mate Skrtel "kicked out" at him during a second-half tussle which forced the Portsmouth striker to limp off with a dead leg.
Crouch said: "I thought Skrtel was my mate, to be honest. I went up with him and he kicked out at me and gave me a dead leg. It was out of order."
But Anfield hard-man Skrtel denied setting out to injure Crouch.
"We went up for a header and I caught him, but that's football and these things happen," he said. "I said to him 'sorry' afterwards and he said 'OK'."
The 6ft 4in Liverpool defender had warned leading up to Saturday's game that friendships would go out of the window.
"I have spoken with my English team-mates at Liverpool and what has become clear is that we won't help each other," he said. "This is the professionalism in each footballer."
Crouch is desperate to lead England's depleted attack against Ukraine on Wednesday and is confident that he can overcome the injury.
Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole also went off injured against Slovakia on Saturday, and Crouch looks the most likely of the three to be passed fit. Indeed, Heskey has already been ruled out.
The Portsmouth striker has rarely had a look-in under Fabio Capello.
Crouch, who has scored 14 goals in 32 caps, has not started a single game under the Italian.
Capello chose Heskey and Cole ahead of him on Saturday and would prefer a more powerful front-man than beanpole Crouch to lead the line against Ukraine.
Crouch, however, believes he is ready to take advantage of his "opening" with England after injuries conspired against him last week.
"I hardly ever get injured so it's been a strange week for me, what with not being able to train at the start and then getting injured during the game," he said.
"It's a bit different to what I'm used to. I'm used to training every day and playing games.
"But hopefully I will play some part on Wednesday. If I can rest up with some ice on my leg, then it should be OK.
"I was gutted to come off but with both Emile and Carlton going off, the manager didn't want to take any chances.
"There's an opening for me now. You don't wish injuries on anyone but when chances do come round you have to take them. That's what I'll be looking to do."
Though not renowned as a prolific scorer, Crouch has been in good form in the Premier League and bagged a double against Everton a week ago.
"I've always felt that I've been a threat for England," he said.
"I've always felt when I have played that I will score goals and I think there's an opening now with a couple of injuries."
Crouch was denied a goal in the second half when England skipper John Terry, from an offside position, got the final touch on his goal bound header.
Crouch revealed that his England team-mates were begging him to do his robotic goal celebration after James Corden's comedy sketch on Comic Relief - but says Capello is too serious for him to do it.
He added: "I might have got a goal if JT had stayed out of the way! He apologised a few times but I'd have done the same, probably.
"A few of the lads have urged me to do the robot dance if I score. But it's a serious business now and I don't think the manager would be too happy."
Peter Crouch was involved in a war of words with Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel after limping out of England's Wembley victory.
Crouch claimed former Liverpool team-mate Skrtel "kicked out" at him during a second-half tussle which forced the Portsmouth striker to limp off with a dead leg.
Crouch said: "I thought Skrtel was my mate, to be honest. I went up with him and he kicked out at me and gave me a dead leg. It was out of order."
But Anfield hard-man Skrtel denied setting out to injure Crouch.
"We went up for a header and I caught him, but that's football and these things happen," he said. "I said to him 'sorry' afterwards and he said 'OK'."
The 6ft 4in Liverpool defender had warned leading up to Saturday's game that friendships would go out of the window.
"I have spoken with my English team-mates at Liverpool and what has become clear is that we won't help each other," he said. "This is the professionalism in each footballer."
Crouch is desperate to lead England's depleted attack against Ukraine on Wednesday and is confident that he can overcome the injury.
Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole also went off injured against Slovakia on Saturday, and Crouch looks the most likely of the three to be passed fit. Indeed, Heskey has already been ruled out.
The Portsmouth striker has rarely had a look-in under Fabio Capello.
Crouch, who has scored 14 goals in 32 caps, has not started a single game under the Italian.
Capello chose Heskey and Cole ahead of him on Saturday and would prefer a more powerful front-man than beanpole Crouch to lead the line against Ukraine.
Crouch, however, believes he is ready to take advantage of his "opening" with England after injuries conspired against him last week.
"I hardly ever get injured so it's been a strange week for me, what with not being able to train at the start and then getting injured during the game," he said.
"It's a bit different to what I'm used to. I'm used to training every day and playing games.
"But hopefully I will play some part on Wednesday. If I can rest up with some ice on my leg, then it should be OK.
"I was gutted to come off but with both Emile and Carlton going off, the manager didn't want to take any chances.
"There's an opening for me now. You don't wish injuries on anyone but when chances do come round you have to take them. That's what I'll be looking to do."
Though not renowned as a prolific scorer, Crouch has been in good form in the Premier League and bagged a double against Everton a week ago.
"I've always felt that I've been a threat for England," he said.
"I've always felt when I have played that I will score goals and I think there's an opening now with a couple of injuries."
Crouch was denied a goal in the second half when England skipper John Terry, from an offside position, got the final touch on his goal bound header.
Crouch revealed that his England team-mates were begging him to do his robotic goal celebration after James Corden's comedy sketch on Comic Relief - but says Capello is too serious for him to do it.
He added: "I might have got a goal if JT had stayed out of the way! He apologised a few times but I'd have done the same, probably.
"A few of the lads have urged me to do the robot dance if I score. But it's a serious business now and I don't think the manager would be too happy."
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