The 27-year-old was not even selected for the squad by the national team boss for last week's 2-2 friendly draw with the Czech Republic.

The Portsmouth striker has an impressive scoring record for England with 14 goals in 28 appearances - but Capello chose to call up Emile Heskey rather than the former Liverpool player.

The Italian, though, insisted it did not mean the door was closed for Crouch who is adamant he will keep plugging away in his bid to take part in the World Cup qualifiers which get under way a week on Saturday against Andorra.

He told the Daily Mail: "Maybe I haven't had the chance to show him what I'm about.

"I always felt I trained well with England and hopefully he's seen that but I'm yet to start a game for him.

"All I can do is keep knocking on the door by knocking goals in.

"I've got a chance now to start games and, if I do well at Portsmouth, the natural progression is to get in the national side."