Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has admitted his frustration that he is not a first choice for England ahead of the World Cup.
The 29-year-old has an excellent record at international level after scoring 20 goals in 37 matches, but he has still been behind Emile Heskey in Fabio Capello's plans.
Crouch is even struggling to earn a starting place at Spurs due to the rejuvenated Roman Pavlyuchenko but he does look a certainty to travel to South Africa.
However, the former Liverpool forward is disappointed he will not be making the trip as Wayne Rooney's definite strike partner.
Crouch said in the Daily Mail when asked if he was frustrated not to be a first-team regular for England: "Yes, sometimes. All I can do is take the opportunities when I get them.
"Hopefully, I did well enough scoring twice in the last game against Egypt to play a big part in the next one, against Mexico, and in the World Cup."
He added: "In the back of your mind, it helps to know the manager seems to prefer to play with a big striker, although he has got other options.
"The truth is there are a lot of forwards who want to play alongside Wayne Rooney and I am one of those."
Crouch, though, does not expect to receive any clues from Capello with regards to his starting plans.
"He is difficult to read, to be honest," he said of the England manager. "He rarely takes anyone to one side.
"Players will tell you, it doesn't matter if you have a hundred caps or are in your first squad, you don't know where you stand with him.
"Some players had their places cemented under previous managers. Now if you have a couple of bad games he isn't afraid to drop you, whoever you are. It keeps everyone on their toes."
