Crouch - It's me or Carroll

Carroll: Crouch's direct competition

Peter Crouch knows he is in direct competition with Andy Carroll for a spot in the England side to face Wales on Saturday.

Liverpool hitman Carroll, who made his debut for his country last November, is a contender to lead Fabio Capello's frontline at the Millennium Stadium.

Crouch, capped 42 times for England, is aware he could miss out on the shirt to the 22-year-old and says he will give his all in training this week to make the cut.

But the 30-year-old accepts, with Darren Bent, Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe also vying for a spot up front, the intense competition for a place can only mean good things for the national side.

Challenge

"It's pretty obvious he (Capello) is not going to be playing us both together so it's going to be one out of the two of us," said Crouch.

"We'll both be trying as best we can to make sure we get a shirt."

He added: "Look at the players we've got in that position.

"It's healthy for England, it's good for the squad. We've got players there who have scored goals for their country and at club level as well.

"Any one of those could do a good job."

Crouch has been impressed by Carroll's progress this season, having moved to Anfield for a British transfer record of £35million from Newcastle in January.

He added: "I'm pleased for Andy Carroll, he's done fantastically well. He's at a top, top club like Liverpool.

"He's got the pleasure of playing there and I'm sure he'll go on and be a big success there."

Crouch, who has scored 22 goals for his country, admits he would be disappointed to miss out on a starting spot Saturday, but insists any taste of action he gets he will make the most of.

"If the manager decides to pick other people of course I'll be disappointed, but any chance I get on the pitch I'll try and make an impact," he said.

"I've been very proud of my record for England and always thought when I've been called upon I've done well and given my all and that'll continue to be the case.

"Last time out it was scoring a goal and hopefully I can continue to do that."

Threat

Crouch is fully expecting Spurs team-mate and Wales international Gareth Bale to pose a threat.

"I don't think there's any secret," he added. "He's improved so much over the last two years and become a world-class player.

"He's doing it against the best players in the world in the Champions League and he's certainly someone we'll have to look out for without a doubt."