Peter Crouch is debating whether to postpone an operation on his broken nose which would almost certainly rule him out of England's Euro 2008 double-header with Israel and Andorra.
The Liverpool striker suffered the injury in a collision with Sheffield United's Rob Hulse and is currently booked in for surgery tomorrow.
Anfield medical staff are keen for Crouch to have the surgery and the 26-year-old has admitted he is still suffering some breathing difficulties.
However, knowing he will be sidelined for between two and three weeks if he goes for the operation, Crouch is thinking of putting it off until the end of the season.
He explained: "I am booked in for Friday but we will have to wait and see.
"It would keep me out for a couple of weeks but I have not set a comeback date because I am still talking about whether I need it or not. I might wait until the end of the season."
Even if Crouch only sat out a fortnight, it would be enough to place a massive question mark over his involvement with England, given the key clash with Israel in Tel Aviv takes place exactly 15 days after surgery.
With Michael Owen only just back in light training following his cruciate ligament operation, Crouch's absence would dent Steve McClaren's plans for a game England must not lose if they are to retain any hope of reaching next year's European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.
Crouch is also mindful of the fact his first-team opportunities at Liverpool have been limited over the last month, with a handful of late substitute appearances and only one start, against Sheffield United on February 24.
He was part of the action for only five minutes against Barcelona Tuesday night, heading one good chance over as Liverpool held their nerve to book a quarter-final place at the expense of last season's Champions League winners.
But, from his place on the bench, Crouch could admire the performance of Jamie Carragher, who again stood out in the face of Barcelona pressure, producing a performance which will only enhance the defender's own England claims with John Terry presently sidelined.
Crouch added: "Over the two Barcelona games Jamie was the best player on the pitch.
"His performance will not have done his England hopes any harm especially as John Terry is out at the moment.
"He has been in the squad a few times and is one of the best defenders around at the moment.
"He reads the game so well. He is a determined, whole hearted player who can play. He is a top class defender and we are just glad to have him."
Anfield medical staff are keen for Crouch to have the surgery and the 26-year-old has admitted he is still suffering some breathing difficulties.
However, knowing he will be sidelined for between two and three weeks if he goes for the operation, Crouch is thinking of putting it off until the end of the season.
He explained: "I am booked in for Friday but we will have to wait and see.
"It would keep me out for a couple of weeks but I have not set a comeback date because I am still talking about whether I need it or not. I might wait until the end of the season."
Even if Crouch only sat out a fortnight, it would be enough to place a massive question mark over his involvement with England, given the key clash with Israel in Tel Aviv takes place exactly 15 days after surgery.
With Michael Owen only just back in light training following his cruciate ligament operation, Crouch's absence would dent Steve McClaren's plans for a game England must not lose if they are to retain any hope of reaching next year's European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.
Crouch is also mindful of the fact his first-team opportunities at Liverpool have been limited over the last month, with a handful of late substitute appearances and only one start, against Sheffield United on February 24.
He was part of the action for only five minutes against Barcelona Tuesday night, heading one good chance over as Liverpool held their nerve to book a quarter-final place at the expense of last season's Champions League winners.
But, from his place on the bench, Crouch could admire the performance of Jamie Carragher, who again stood out in the face of Barcelona pressure, producing a performance which will only enhance the defender's own England claims with John Terry presently sidelined.
Crouch added: "Over the two Barcelona games Jamie was the best player on the pitch.
"His performance will not have done his England hopes any harm especially as John Terry is out at the moment.
"He has been in the squad a few times and is one of the best defenders around at the moment.
"He reads the game so well. He is a determined, whole hearted player who can play. He is a top class defender and we are just glad to have him."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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