Crouching Peter, hidden danger

The 24-year-old former QPR, Portsmouth and Aston Villa striker made his League debut for Rangers in a goalless draw with Birmingham in August 2000. That season he scored 10 goals in 42 matches and was recognised by England with selection at Under-21 level.

"He reminds me of two players," said Francis. "The first is Teddy Sheringham, in terms of natural ability and great volleying. Not only can he score goals but, like Teddy, he's also a provider. He's not quick but his movement is intelligent and he's still learning about the game. The other player is Niall Quinn, who's almost as tall. There's no doubt that when Peter Crouch jumps no one can match him in the air. My own view is that if he continues to progress at his current rate he's going to be a real handful at any level."

Not everyone, though, is as sure of Crouch's potential. In 37 Premiership games for Aston Villa over three seasons he scored just six goals before David O'Leary sent him on loan to Norwich.

"He's a player who needs an arm around him occasionally," said Francis. "He's a really nice boy - sometimes too nice. His confidence comes from you believing in him. Les Ferdinand was a bit like that.

"I think the most important thing for him now is regular first-team football. The England manager obviously thinks highly of him. If he gets in the England team and does well on a couple of occasions he could force himself into consideration for the World Cup."

Crouch's elevation to the national squad is bound to make him consider his career path at club level. Although Southampton are desperate to keep him, he needs to be playing in the Premiership to be a realistic candidate for England's World Cup campaign.

Liverpool, Bolton, Blackburn and West Bromwich Albion have all been suggested as possible destinations and, from Southampton's point of view, an England cap would add to his status and value.

First, though, he has to get into the team and Eriksson's record suggests that he's more likely to favour those already established within the squad when he names his side to face the United States in Chicago on Saturday.

The absence of Michael Owen on Saturday and Wayne Rooney from the squad would suggest an opportunity in the starting line up for Tottenham's Jermain Defoe and Crystal Palace's Johnson, although the chances are that Crouch will feature during the match.

Although this brief US tour has been widely criticised, Francis can still recall the value of the Bicentennial trip in 1976. "I understand that Premiership managers want their players to rest but from an England point of view these trips can sometimes produce a bonus for the England coach," he said.

In 1976, England manager Don Revie organised matches against Brazil in Los Angeles and Italy in New York and handed out four new caps. One of those debutants was Ray Wilkins, who went on to make 84 appearances for England and captain the side.

Francis returned from New York in 1976 to captain England to a convincing 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Finland in Helsinki. Sadly, it was his 12th and final England cap. A back injury cost him two years of his career and, when he finally returned, he was unable to regain his England place.

Francis maintains his links with the game through his regular appearances as a pundit on television but is now a theatre and film entrepreneur and a major shareholder in Magic Movies Ltd.