Peter Crouch believes David Beckham will still have a massive role to play for England if he makes Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.

Beckham is close to completing his move back to AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy for another loan spell which will get under way at the end of the current year.

Capello sees it as vital that the former Manchester United star will be playing in a high standard of football ahead of the 2010 finals in South Africa.

But Beckham showed what he still has to offer after being chosen as man of the match in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Belarus despite playing for only 35 minutes as a substitute.

Crouch told Press Association Sport: "How big a role has Beckham still got to play? He will have a big role to play. He is such a talented player.

"If you get him on the ball, he can deliver it on to a sixpence with that right foot of his.

"He is never going to lose that quality, no matter what age he is, and he still is going to have ability to unlock defences and he showed that when he came on against Belarus."

Crouch added: "It would be better for him to be playing in Europe and being in the manager's eye, playing week in and week out in Serie A.

"But, for me, he has still got the quality to play for England."

Crouch stepped up his claims to be included in Capello's plans by scoring his 15th and 16th goals in just 17 starts for his country.

He faces stiff competition to play regularly at Tottenham and understands Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey's concern that he may have to find a new club to aid his chances of going to the World Cup.

But Crouch has faith in his own ability to compete for a spot at White Hart Lane.

He said: "I think everyone has got their eye on the World Cup. Everyone wants to be part of the biggest tournament in the world.

"You can understand if you are not playing that it is difficult, and you can see where Emile is coming from. He wants to be playing and in the eye for the manager.

"He has got the number nine shirt at the moment and he wants to keep it and that is understandable.

"There is huge competition at Tottenham but I'm at a top club competing for honours, near the top of the league.

"You would expect that but I have faith in my own ability that, when I do play, I will do enough."

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will return to his former club Portsmouth on Saturday and Crouch, who moved from Fratton Park in the summer, is confident he will deal with any stick he receives from supporters.

He said: "The manager, myself and a lot of players are going back to Portsmouth but it is just another game of football and one we need to win.

"It will be a little bit sad if Harry Redknapp gets some stick. He has been the most successful manager the club has ever had, winning the FA Cup and taking the club into Europe.

"It is difficult when a manager leaves. The fans aren't happy and they will voice their opinions but Harry is a tough character and I am sure he will cope with that.

"He has been around the game long enough not to worry about that."