Peter Crouch tips Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Ledley King for big role in England's World Cup squad

Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch believes team-mate Ledley King would be a "definite" for Fabio Capello's England World Cup squad if not for his well-documented injury concerns.

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King has chronic problems with his knees that have long prevented him from training and playing on a consistent basis. But despite the issues — which have meant Capello has only been able to call-up the 29-year-old to one squad so far in his tenure with the Three Lions — Crouch believes the defender has shown enough quality in his recent performances for Spurs to secure his ticket to South Africa in June.

King was instrumental in helping Spurs to Champions League qualification this season with a fourth place finish in the Premier League, and Crouch believes he has the tools to perform a similar role for England if required.

"Ledley is a fantastic player and if fit he would be a definite," Crouch told reporters.

"Obviously the manager has to weigh up whether he can take him to the World Cup and if he is fit enough.

"He has played three games in nine days and I don't think he was feeling that bad. He would have more rest at the World Cup.

"Ledley has had a really good end to the season, he has been fantastic. When he is fit I think he has got to be one of the best centre-halves in the world.

"It is a real shame with his injury problems otherwise I think he would have gone on to be the world's best but they held him back a touch.

"I don't want to tell the manager what to do, the manager will have his own ideas, but in my opinion he is a fantastic centre-half.

"On his day, when he is fit, there is no-one better."

"In my last performance for England I got a couple of goals and I feel I have had a good enough season but it won't be until that squad is announced that the nerves subside," he said.

"The manager is not one for showing who he favours and who he wants to play. Everyone is guessing who he is going to play and who he is going to take.

"I don't think you can second guess the man."

"I can't believe what I have started!" Crouch laughed.

"I know a lot of people love it but I am not sure how well it will go down with the manager.

"I can't do it in the semis or the quarters because there is a chance of getting dropped.

"If I get a goal with the last kick of the World Cup final then I will see what I can do!"