Peter Crouch admits Portsmouth's uncertain ownership situation is troubling for the players.

"There are 15 players out of contract, no one knows who the manager is and we don't even know who the owner is," he said. "So everyone at the club wants reassurances about what is going to happen in the summer. And I'll certainly be asking.

"It's obvious that we need to strengthen the side. I don't want to be fighting relegation. If I'm going to have a chance of starting for England, of playing for England, I need to be playing well in a team that is playing well. I'm disappointed with what's happened here, to be honest.

"When I signed we had Harry [Redknapp] as manager. Jermain [Defoe] was there, [Lassana] Diarra too, we were in Europe and there were ambitions for the club to go forward. Instead it has taken a backward step without a doubt."