EAGLES columnist SAM ROSS this week makes the case for an England call up for prolific striker Glenn Murray.

SATURDAY’S frustrating defeat against Sheffield Wednesday was only the second time in February Glenn Murray has failed to score.

Earlier in the season a lot of people were saying Palace were reliant on the performances of Wilfried Zaha.

And with him missing from Saturday’s defeat, those watching from afar may still believe the Eagles are a one-man team.

Palace have a host of match winners throughout their squad but the standout man is without question Glenn Murray, not Zaha.

Roy Hodgson was at Selhurst a few weeks ago to watch over Zaha, but the performance of Murray so far this season is worthy of an England call up.

It may sound crazy and appear I am a fan getting wrapped up in the glory of seeing your side’s striker at the top of the pile of leading scorers, but if you look at the stats it actually isn’t that unbelievable.

Not only is Murray way ahead of how many goals the regular England starters have scored this campaign, but he is currently the second highest scorer in Europe behind Lionel Messi.

Even if you combine how many goals England strikers Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll, Daniel Sturridge, and Jermain Defoe have scored this season, it only totals two more than Murray’s 27 for Palace.

Hodgson must have been impressed watching Murray against Middlesbrough, especially with his second superb individual effort, and if he thought Zaha warranted a place in the England set up then surely Murray does.

The country’s top scorer in the Premier League right now is Rickie Lambert with 12 goals.

Lambert should have been handed an England cap by now and after his 27 goals last season, the Saints ace has proved he can make the step up, something Murray is more than capable of doing as well. Criticisms surrounding the pair are similar and unjustified.

Some say they are too old to be handed a place on the national stage, which is absolute rubbish because if you’re good enough age is irrelevant. Others claim most of Murray’s goals are penalties and highlight the fact he is playing against Championship defences.

Firstly, it would be nice to have a striker playing for England who can actually score penalties.

Secondly, the quality of defending in the Premier League this year has been so shocking I would argue some Championship defences are better organised and more solid than those in the top flight.

But pure and simple Murray is a goal scorer in the form of his life and as the country’s leading marksman, the chance to call him up to the England squad should not be missed by Hodgson.

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