Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch has admitted Jermain Defoe's return to Tottenham this month has left a gap in Pompey's striking armoury. Crouch told The News: "It was a big shame Jermain left.

"I thought we worked well together and it was good for Portsmouth.

"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."