London, Apr. 1 : England football coach Fabio Capello does not rate forward Peter Crouch highly, but admits that he will have to play him tonight against Ukraine only because he has run out of alternatives.

Capello said: “We have to play Crouch because he’s now the best we have who can play.

“My first idea was one style and one particular forward, fast and with movement. Crouch has a different style. He is not Darren Bent and not Emile Heskey. He can’t do the same movement as Heskey and can’t press like Heskey,” The Sun quoted Capello, as saying.

So far, Capello has given Crouch, 28, eight appearances, all as sub, and it is clear Bent would have played in tonight’s World Cup qualifier had he been fit.

The England coach then challenged Crouch to take his chance, saying: “I’m sure he will play a good game. He’s in good form. This is a big opportunity for him — and us. Ukraine will play on the counter-attack, so we need players like Crouch. We have to play like a team, not individuals. (ANI)