Stoke City manager Mark Hughes believes that striker Peter Crouch could be a positive addition to the England squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The 33-year-old impressed for the Potters and got himself on the scoresheet in Sunday's 4-1 away victory over Aston Villa.

The 6ft 7in forward, who has scored 22 goals in 42 appearances for England, has missed out regularly for the Three Lions since manager Roy Hodgson took charge in May 2012.

"He has a great record for England," the Shields Gazette quotes Hughes as saying. "Maybe the people in charge are looking for a similar type of player as effective as Pete.

"Maybe his time has come and gone, but if he was asked to go I am sure he would go. If anyone rang me up and wanted a view on whether or not I think Peter should go to the World Cup, I can obviously give them a very positive one."

Hodgson is expected to announce his provisional World Cup squad in mid-May.