I’m backing our Jack to be No 1 pick for Gareth

PETER CROUCH believes Jack Butland can become England’s No1 – and stay there for years to come.

And there is also support for West Ham striker Andy Carroll to make a late bid to be on the plane to Russia in England’s World Cup squad.

Stoke goalkeeper Butland impressed in front of Gareth Southgate at West Ham on Monday while rival Joe Hart dropped a clanger to gift Crouch his fifth goal of the season.

With Everton’s Jordan Pickford also in contention, the England manager faces a tough choice and former international Crouch was happy to talk up his team-mate.

“I’ve watched Jack grow as a goalkeeper at Stoke. When he came, Asmir Begovic was No1 but since he has come in he has saved us on numerous occasions,” said Crouch.

“He’s a top-class goalkeeper but I’ve worked with Joe Hart, I know how good he is, Pickford as well. They are three good goalkeepers. You can’t go far wrong with any of them.

“One thing I will say is that Jack’s not far off being No1 and when he gets there he’ll stay there. He’s improving. He’s ready-made and he has youth on his side.

“There will come a time when Joe Hart steps aside. He is still a top goalkeeper but when he does, Jack will be ready.”

Crouch was frustrated that Stoke did not get all three points at West Ham in a game in which he became the club’s record Premier League scorer with 44.

But he is still optimistic that they can make up a five-point deficit to safety and insists he has no current plans to retire.

“I still feel good,” said the 37-year-old.

“I want to play for as long as possible. I will stay around for as long as they want me. I’m ready to start games. It is hard on the bench. I feel like a fan, biting my nails. Hopefully I can have an impact and be part of a great escape.

“I’m pleased to break the record. I wasn’t aware of it. It’s nice for me.

“I would swap it all to have us stay in the Premier League but it’s a nice record to have.

“The belief is still there. Everyone’s down but we came so close to winning.

“You look at the four games we have left and three of them, if we win them, means staying up is still a possibility.

“It’s out of our hands, which is frustrating. I can’t believe we are in this position but we are. We’re two wins away from getting out of it.”

Crouch’s England days are now behind him but West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell is backing “unplayable” striker Carroll to make a late push for the World Cup.

The much-injured striker scored West Ham’s equaliser against Stoke on Monday at home only five minutes into his latest comeback after a three-month lay-off.

Now defender Cresswell believes Southgate should consider the 6ft 4ins target man, who has not played for his country since 2012, as he offers the aerial ability few others possess.

“Andy is a nightmare in training – he is unplayable,” said Cresswell. “On his day he is the best at what he does – certainly on Monday he has changed the game for us. “I’m delighted for Andy. He came back, five minutes, and scored a goal. “Everyone knows what he’s about. “His hold-up play is excellent and when you have people running off him it’s unplayable. He is something different.”