Crouch ready for Fratton return

Spurs striker expecting hot reception from former club

Last updated: 16th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Crouch ready for Fratton return

Crouch: Stands by comments

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Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch is looking forward to his return to Portsmouth and is expecting a 'hot reception' at Fratton Park.

Crouch was among a string of players to quit Pompey over the summer due to the uncertain financial situation at the club at that time.

He also admitted prior to his exit that he wanted answers regarding the club's future and did not wish to be playing for a club fighting against relegation in the season leading up to the World Cup.

The England forward, who scored twice against Belarus on Wednesday night, stands by the comments he made, which were labelled 'very disappointing' by chief executive Peter Storrie.

The 28-year-old goes back to Fratton Park for the first time since his exit on Saturday and is relishing the chance to play against his former club.

Great admiration

"I don't think I was ­talking out of turn with what I said about Portsmouth in the summer," said Crouch. "Everyone knows the ­situation there wasn't great.

"When I was a Portsmouth player, I admitted the situation wasn't great and that was plain for everyone to see.

"I hope they have sorted things out with the new owner.

"I've got a great admiration for the club and it will be good if they've got stability.

"It will be a hot reception, but nothing we're not used to ­already. I'm looking forward to it."

Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar have also left Pompey for Spurs in the past year, while manager Harry Redknapp also heads back to the South Coast again.

And Crouch added: "There are quite a few of us going back - it's like Portsmouth old boys!

"I loved every second at ­Portsmouth, but most of the players had to move on with things the way they were."