BECKHAM CAN MAKE ME ENGLAND'S HERO - CROUCH

Peter Crouch believes he can fire England to Euro 2008 as long as David Beckham is given the chance to supply the ammunition. Steve McClaren must decide whether to keep faith with Beckham in England's decisive showdown against Croatia on Wednesday after the midfielder's lethargic display in Austria last week. Beckham has hardly played for LA Galaxy this season after a series of injuries and McClaren could opt to bring in Shaun Wright-Phillips for the former Manchester United star. But Beckham can still present a persuasive case to win his 99th cap. Despite his lack of match fitness, he delivered the corner that led to Crouch's headed winner in Vienna. And he has plenty of experience of this kind of crunch match, with his last-minute free-kick against Greece that booked England's passage to the 2002 World Cup still a vivid memory. Crouch is convinced his best chance of scoring the goals on Wednesday that would make him an England hero lie with Beckham. "He's still one of the best at delivering from set-pieces or out wide, so for someone like me who scores the majority of my goals from crosses he certainly a player to have," Crouch said. "He's a fantastic player for me. The last time I started for England against Estonia he created a goal for me. "With someone like him, I just know I need to get into the box because, given half a yard, he is going to whip a cross in. An early cross is perfect for me and David always provides that

BECKHAM TARGETS 2010 WORLD CUP

David Beckham is not in the mood to end his international career any time soon. With England now looking set to qualify for next summer's European Championships, and Steve McClaren set to stay on, David Beckham is also looking to extend his international career. He will almost surely pick up his 99th cap on Wednesday, and his 100th in February, but is now looking ahead to playing for another three years, and representing England in South Africa. "I want to play in the next World Cup. That is a big goal for me and an enormous challenge," Beckham told the Sunday Mirror. "I believe I can do it. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. "Contrary to some people's claims, I didn't leave European football too early. "I am still playing well and at a good standard. That's why I'm optimistic I can play in the 2010 World Cup. "I won't retire. I will always make myself available for my country. That hasn't changed." Beckham came up with the assist for Peter Crouch's match-winner against Austria.

CENTURY LAST THING ON BECKS' MIND

David Beckham is "not thinking at all" about the possibility of failing to earn 100 caps for his country and claimed reaching Euro 2008 was uppermost in his mind. Beckham is set to make his 99th appearance for his country against Croatia in the final match of their qualifying campaign at Wembley on Wednesday evening. It could be his last international appearance if England are absent from Austria and Switzerland next summer and coach Steve McClaren pays the price by being sacked. But Beckham has all his focus on being ready to help England progress and warned of the need to be 100% ready against Croatia, who beat England 2-0 earlier in the campaign. He said: "Not getting to 100 caps is not preying on my mind at all. I am not thinking about that. "All I am thinking about is the team qualifying for the competition next summer. These games are not about David Beckham reaching 100 caps. "It is about the England team reaching the European finals and that is the most important thing, not achieving personal milestones. "What is important, if we are given the chance, is we have to be ready for the Croatia game. "We can't make excuses. We have to be ready for Croatia and, if other teams slip up, we need to take advantage. But we will probably need to win the game whatever has happened elsewhere." Beckham insisted his fitness problems were behind him and that he will be ready for a second game in five days against Croatia. "For the the opening 10-15 minutes, it was tough going out there for me but I soon got a sort of a second wind. "The good thing is that my injury worries are gone. I feel fine and raring to go. I've got a couple of games under my belt since I got back fit and some good training and it's going okay."

ENGLAND RECALL BECKHAM FOR AUSTRIA FRIENDLY

David Beckham will return to the England side after a four-game absence for tomorrow’s friendly international against Austria in Vienna. The former Manchester United midfielder is set to win his 98th cap after recovering from a knee problem suffered while playing for LA Galaxy. Goalkeeper Scott Carson, on loan to Aston Villa from Liverpool, has been handed his first cap by Steve McClaren, the head coach, while Frank Lampard is back in the centre of midfield in place of Gareth Barry. “He’s been around the squad for a long time," McClaren said of Carson. "He had a busy summer in the Under-21 tournament and his performances for Aston Villa have been very, very good. The game will be an ideal opportunity for him to experience international football.”