HARRY Redknapp is backing Peter Crouch to force his way into Sven Goran Eriksson's England squad in time for next year's World Cup.

The 24-year-old is the form striker of the Premiership and will tomorrow go head-to-head with perhaps the best defence in the history of English football.

League leaders Chelsea, who have let in just ten goals in 30 games, are on course to topple Liverpool's all-time defensive record of conceding 16 goals in an entire top-flight season.

But they will have to contend with a man buzzing from the confidence of scoring ten goals in his last 13 starts.

"Crouch has been marvellous," said Saints boss Redknapp. "I think he will get in the England squad before the start of next year.

"He was almost unplayable against Middlesbrough. His form has been fantastic and nobody has had an easy game with him.

"He's got good ability, got good touch, good technique, difficult to play against and scoring goals. Why shouldn't he get in the England team?"

Redknapp believes Crouch would offer England something completely different from the likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Jermain Defoe.

"It just so happens that our best strikers are the short, nippy ones but Crouchie would be an option and you need that," he said.

"Apart from Heskey, you haven't got anyone with any size and presence. If you look at his goals and the way he is playing, why shouldn't it be Peter?

"I think he would be a terrific player to have on the bench. There will be games when you can't play through teams because it's too tight.

"So you could do something different, play a few balls into the box and look for Rooney or Owen in the knockdowns.

"He's a fantastic option and I think he'd be a terrific addition to the squad.

"When you are struggling to get that breakthrough, he's just the fella you'd need."

Tomorrow's big St Mary's clash represents the ultimate test for Crouch and Saints, who are unbeaten at home in the league since September last year.

Chelsea have conceded just two goals in their last ten Premiership matches, while keeper Petr Cech has kept 22 clean sheets this season.

Jose Mourinho's men are also 21 league games unbeaten but a good omen for Saints is the last time Chelsea conceded three goals in the league was last April, when Aston Villa won 3-2 with Crouch playing 82 minutes that day for his former club.