Stoke winger Matthew Etherington has stated that team-mates Peter Crouch and Ryan Shawcross should be in the England squad.
The pair have impressed for the Potters this season but the midfielder feels that Roy Hodgson will not pick the pair as they play at the Britannia Stadium and not one of the bigger clubs.
“There is no doubt Crouchie should be in the squad. His England record is second none, and he has been scoring regularly for us,” The Daily Mail quote Etherington as saying.
“His goals have been amazing, and he brings others into the game. He’s priceless for us, end of story.
“With John Terry finishing, Ryan should be in the frame as well. But it does seem that if you play for Stoke, there is a certain stigma attached to it.
“Crouchie should be in, and Ryan should definitely be looked at, after performing consistently and helping us keep clean sheets. But it isn’t happening, and it is frustrating. It’s a puzzle, without a doubt.
“It says it all, really, that no-one was here today. The England manager says he is going to pick players on merit.
“He should follow his word. I don’t want to come across as “we are Stoke and everyone hates us” but Crouchie is a given and Ryan should be getting a mention.
“We are light on centre-forwards, and it’s difficult to know what more Crouchie can do than score 15 goals last season and another five so far this time. It’s the same with Ryan.
“He and Robert Huth have to be one of the best partnerships in the country, and if he keeps performing to such a high level, he must be in with a shout,” he concluded.
England play San Marino and Poland in World Cup qualifiers in October.
By Gareth McKnight
