CROUCH READY TO LINK UP WITH REDKNAPP ON THE BIG STAGE

PETER Crouch has followed up reports that Harry Redknapp is in line to be the new Nigeria manager - by declaring his availability. Gernot Rohr sees his contract expire at the end of the month and there is serious doubt over the German’s future.

And The Star claims the Nigerian hierarchy are considering trying to tempt 73-year-old Redknapp back into the dug out.

That left football fans on social media joking it could see Redknapp trying to bring his old favourites Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar back together in West Africa.

And Stoke City hero Crouch chuckled: “So excited to get my Nigerian passport through today #gosupereagles “Charlie Adam was among the replies, saying: “You better make sure Peter Odemwingie doesn’t just turn up!” Crouch, now aged 39, scored 22 times in 42 appearances for England and played for Redknapp at Southampton, Portsmouth and Tottenham. Last week he had been quizzed about starring on ITV hit Harry’s Heroes, a second series of Redknapp leading a team of England veterans to take on Germany.

He said: “Having looked at some of the frames of the players who were involved, - and their respective dates of birth - I think I need a few more pints, a few more years and a few more stone to put on before I can make that team!

“What I will say is that Jermain Defoe and I are in our own Whatsapp group and we are just waiting for the message from Harry to come and join him.

“We will see what we can do with Niko Kranjcar and make him an honorary Englishman! “It was a really enjoyable programme but you are right there was a serious element. Neil Ruddock’s health issues were addressed in the first programme and others spoke candidly about the battles they have faced.

“Lee Hendrie’s situation really struck a chord with me. Lee is a mate, someone I had great times with at Aston Villa but he’s been affected severely by depression. “He will know that people who care about him are there for him. Life away from football is not as straightforward as you would think.”

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