Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch has admitted Jermain Defoe's exit was a 'big shame' for the club.
But towering Pompey striker focusing on future at Fratton Park
Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch has admitted Jermain Defoe's exit was a 'big shame' for the club.
Defoe returned to Tottenham Hotspur this month just a year after leaving White Hart Lane for Pompey.
The clinical forward struck an impressive partnership with Crouch before his switch, with the duo netting 18 goals between them in 21 starts together.
Crouch, who is set to come up against his former team-mate live on
Sky Sports 1 & HD1 on Sunday, told
The News: "It was a big shame Jermain left.
"I thought we worked well together and it was good for Portsmouth.
Move on
"He got a load of goals and I've been scoring myself so if you're going to take the amount of goals Jermain scores out of the team, then it will affect us.
"But the manager has said he is looking to strengthen the squad and I'm sure we'll be fine."
He continued: "I don't think anyone could have persuaded him to stay. I think Jermain made up his mind quite early he wanted to go back to Tottenham.
"He feels more at home there, he has still got a house there and was travelling into Portsmouth.
"He's happier at Spurs but we'll get on with it and the club will go on without him."
