CROUCH READY FOR BEATTIE BATTLE

Thursday 23rd March 2006
ANFIELD ONLINE LFC NEWS

CROUCH READY TO TAKE ON BEATTIE

Peter Crouch is ready for the weekend showdown with Everton's James Beattie as they are both fighting for their place in the World Cup Squad.

He now faces his former Southampton strike partner James Beattie in Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton, and Crouch is eager to prove his worth.

"I always felt my move was justified, even before the goals started going in," he said. ''Maybe my recent record proves that.

"The manager and the people at the club always believed in me, and I've always had the confidence I'd do well. Now the goals are going in, it just tops everything."

Crouch is keen to avoid any comparison with Beattie, as both compete for a place in England's World Cup Squad.

"I speak to James quite a bit and I'm really pleased for him, he's doing so well at Everton," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"James is enjoying himself too, but we both know our friendship is put to one side this weekend.

"I think the battle for striking places in the World Cup is probably bringing out the best in everyone at the moment. It's a healthy competition because we all know we need to keep playing well.

"I just want to continue my current form. We had a good win against Everton earlier in the season and I scored. Obviously I'd love to do so again."

Crouch is not on unfamiliar territory having endured a lean spell at the start of his career at St Mary's before becoming one of the most consistent Premiership goalscorers towards the end of last season.

"I've scored 12 in 24 games now, and it seems I've repeated my run of last year. I had a slow start for Southampton and then managed 16 goals in the second half of the season.

"I'm in the middle of a good run and hopefully that's going to contribute to the right results for my club and country."

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