Tottenham striker Peter Crouch says he had suspicions about Portsmouth's finances as soon as he returned to Fratton Park.

Crouch joined Pompey two years ago in a deal estimated to be worth up to £11million - joining a team that had won the FA Cup and included such stars as David James, Sulley Muntari, Glen Johnson, Niko Kranjcar and Lassana Diarra.

He told the Sunday Mirror: "I think it did occur to me how a club of that size could afford a team that good.

"It was obviously a lot of money for me personally. They were buying a lot of players and I just assumed there must have been backing there.

"When I sign for a club I don't go through the books, I just assumed it was being run properly. But it appears it wasn't. That's why they're in the trouble they are in."

Pompey, who are bottom of the Premier League and destined for relegation, entered administration in February and incurred a nine-point penalty.

"I joined just after they won the FA Cup and the team was already in place," said Crouch. "I remember watching them play away from home and absolutely batter teams.

"If we could have kept that team together, there's loads we could have achieved. It was a fantastic football team.

"I am grateful the financial problems didn't start while I was still there. It's a horrible situation to be in. I feel sorry for everyone there. But obviously I had to look after myself, especially in a World Cup year."