Peter Crouch says his status as an England squad regular proves he was right to join Tottenham, even though his manager Harry Redknapp recently called him an "idiot".
Sunderland, Fulham and Aston Villa were among a host of clubs vying for his signature before he moved to White Hart Lane in July.
Crouch has begun only five League matches this season, yet is battling with Emile Heskey for a starting berth alongside Wayne Rooney on the international stage. Both Heskey and Carlton Cole are injured, leaving Crouch a chance to impress against Brazil on Saturday and the former Liverpool striker believes he owes that opportunity to his move to north London.
"My role in the England squad vindicates my decision to join Tottenham," he said. "My mind was pretty much made up when I got the call from Harry. Tottenham were a team moving forward."
Crouch wants to keep a low profile for the rest of the season, to give himself the best chance of making South Africa, after being pictured looking dishevelled in a London nightclub last month.
England coach Fabio Capello is known as a disciplinarian, so the 28-year-old will not be taking any more chances. "It won't happen again," Crouch said. "Harry said 'you're an idiot, move on'."
Glen Johnson was not among the travelling party that flew to Doha this morning after picking up an injury in Liverpool's draw with Birmingham on Monday.
