Tottenham's Crouch under pressure to score

Chigwell (England): Tottenham Hotspur's new striker Peter Crouch said he was already under pressure to score goals after joining the ambitious Premier League club.

"You're always under pressure if you have got ambitions of playing for England and you're playing for a big club like Tottenham. You've got to make sure you're scoring goals and you're playing well," Crouch told reporters on Thursday.

"I have been under pressure... for nine to 10 years. I'll put the most pressure on myself since I've got high expectations. I'll make sure I do the business."

The 28-year-old, reunited with Harry Redknapp last month after following the manager to north London from Portsmouth for a fee British media put at 9 million pounds ($15.29 million), said his international ambitions would keep him on his toes.

Crouch has scored at least 16 goals a season during several spells playing under Redknapp at Southampton and Portsmouth.

"I believe that I have always scored goals under the manager and I certainly believe I can continue that target, but we will wait and see," he said.

England ambitions

The lanky striker is keen to impress England manager Fabio Capello, who is almost certain to again include him in his squad to face Netherlands in a friendly next Wednesday.

Crouch is also determined to be selected for next year's World Cup in South Africa if group leaders England qualify.

"I'm confident enough in my own ability that I will be playing every week, doing well and making sure that I'm on that plane to South Africa," he said.

Crouch will compete for a place in the Tottenham starting lineup with fellow England forward Jermain Defoe, Ireland captain Robbie Keane and Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko.

On the domestic front Crouch agreed with Redknapp that it would be hard for Spurs to get among the leading teams.

"I mean that's very difficult to break into the top four," he said. "But if anyone has got the potential I think we have ... good young players and the size of the club, the fan base and you know we've certainly got as good a chance as any."