Crouch tips Rooney to pick up WC winner’s medal and Player of the Year award

RUSTENBURG - England striker Peter Crouch insists that Wayne Rooney can pick up a World Cup winner’s medal before being named FIFA’s World Player of the Year.

Rooney was England’s leading scorer in World Cup qualification with nine goals, and enjoyed a stunning season for Manchester United, hitting 26 Premier League goals in his total club tally of 33. It is massive for us to have someone in such great form going into the World Cup. He is world-class. He is in the top five players right now - everyone would agree with that,” The Sun quoted Crouch, as saying.

“I think he could end up being the World Player of the Year. It would be great for England if someone could do that,” he added.

The 29-year-old further said that his team, under manager Fabio Capello, is experienced enough to go all the way in the World Cup.

“We had a long winter in the Premier League and the World Cup is in every England player’s mind. It’s an exciting time for everyone concerned. It has been far too long since we won the World Cup or even got close to winning it. I would like to think we can live up to our expectations,” Crouch said.

“We have a strong belief. The way we qualified with games to spare was good. We have a fantastic squad. We have talked ourselves up before and it has been frustrating that we have not lived up to our expectations. This year we would like to go out and really prove ourselves,” he added. (ANI)