FORMER Saints striker Peter Crouch would do a good job for England if Roy Hodgson recalled the player from the international wilderness to make the plane to Brazil this summer.

Crouch's Stoke boss Mark Hughes made the claim after the 6ft 7in frontman set Peter Odemwingie up for Stoke's first goal in yesterday's shock 4-1 win at Crouch's former club Aston Villa.

Crouch also got himself on the scoresheet as Stoke claimed their first away win since August.

Crouch has scored 22 goals in 42 England appearances, but he has been overlooked ever since Hodgson became coach of the national side.

Hughes acknowledges that Crouch is very much an outsider for Hodgson's 23-man squad for the tournament - Saints talisman Rickie Lambert and Andy Carroll of West Ham appearing to be battling for one place - but the Stoke boss has no doubt that the 33-year-old would impress in Brazil if called upon.

"He has given us a focal point, and his link up play was brilliant today," the Stoke manager said of Crouch, who has nine goals to his name this term.

"He is an international-class player, he has proven that at international level.

"He has a great record for England. Maybe the people in charge are looking for a similar type of player as effective as Pete.

"Maybe his time has come and gone, but if he was asked to go I am sure he would go.

"If anyone rang me up and wanted a view on whether or not I think Peter should go to the World Cup, I can obviously give them a very positive one."